•         Boots and No7 Beauty Company achieve Age Inclusive accreditation by UK organisation 55/Redefined
•         New accreditation identifies the two organisations as ‘age-friendly businesses for which to work’
•         More than a quarter of Boots and No7 team members (27%) are over the age of 50

Boots and No7 Beauty Company are proud to announce they have achieved the Age Inclusive accreditation from 55/Redefined, a UK organisation that champions anti-age discrimination. The accreditation recognises that Boots and No7 Beauty Company are committed to playing a leading role in changing attitudes and challenging age discrimination. With more than a quarter of its team members aged over 50, Boots and No7 Beauty Company value skills and experience, irrespective of age, and are focused on creating an inclusive workplace with equitable opportunities for all.

With a recent 55/Redefined study* showing that 56% of over-50s want to continue working beyond 65, the accreditation also helps job seekers identify Boots and No7 Beauty Company as age-friendly businesses for which to work.

Donna Hodgins, Head of Recruitment at Boots said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with 55/Redefined to further demonstrate our commitment to be an inclusive employer. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, passionate about embracing the diversity of our team members and providing a positive and inclusive working environment for all.

“With over 2,200 stores across the UK, recruiting and retaining a diverse mix of team members who are representative of the diverse communities we serve, enables us to have access to a broader range of ideas and perspectives so we can better understand and respond to the unique challenges and needs of our customers and team members.

“With an ageing population in the UK, we also recognise that the labour market is changing too, and we need to adapt to give everyone access to equal opportunity of employment and to attract and retain the best talent.”

The accreditation also comes after Boots and No7 announced in April it is covering the cost of team members' prescriptions Hormone Replacement Treatment (HRT), furthering its diversity, equity and inclusion commitments. Now as Age Inclusive employers, Boots and No7 are continuing to build a culture of allyship and advocacy where everyone can thrive.  

Lyndsey Simpson, founder and CEO of 55/Redefined, commented: “Age Inclusive employers play a leading role in positively changing attitudes towards older workers in their own businesses, networks and communities. Not only are employers like Boots and No7 serving a large, diverse and consistently overlooked demographic of customers, but they are reaping the benefits of inclusive recruitment practices.

“Our research* shows that two thirds (68 per cent) of over 55s feel that the job market is closed to them, whilst almost a quarter (24 per cent) felt forced to retire before they wanted to. These results suggest that barriers to work, as a result of age discrimination, could have a huge impact on confidence, income and financial security.

"55/Redefined's mission is to champion change at a societal and policy level by supporting inclusivity. Age Inclusive employers such as Boots and No7 Beauty Company are helping to bring its sector and society as a whole a step closer to achieving this change."