The Oxford Institute of Population Ageing ‘Older entrepreneurs: Changing work patterns' project

The Oxford Institute of Population Ageing ‘Older entrepreneurs: Changing work patterns' project is examining the work and retirement aspirations of a group of self-employed older workers in new technology firms.

Self-employment in the UK has been steadily increasing, in particular for those over 50. They would like to explore the feelings of this age group about self-employment, and their plans for retirement in telephone interviews which would last no longer than an hour. This follow-on study revisits research previously conducted in 2002-4, funded at that time by Help the Aged, using the same methods and a similar sample.

They would like to speak to people over the age of 50 who are self-employed as the director, owner, or chief executive of companies that:

 -Have up to 50 employees (SBEs)

 -Are in the following counties: Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire (Southern-central England)

-Are in the ICT/ Telecommunications industry

-Were established at least five years ago.

 If you would like to take part, or if you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact:

 Dr Kate Hamblin, Oxford Institute of Population Ageing, University of Oxford, 66 Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 6PR

 Tel: 01865 612816

 Email:

 All information will be treated in strictest confidence.