A social entrepreneur with a deep knowledge of cause-related marketing, Ian Spero believes in the power of private/public sector alliances to improve lives.
Ian is founder and director of the Agile Ageing Alliance (AAA), a campaigning social business which aims to demonstrate that through innovations in technology, business and service models, our homes and neighbourhoods of the future can be reimagined to boost health and wellbeing, leading to a reduction in the financial burden on State and citizens.
A regular contributor to conferences, seminars, anthology and academic papers, Ian has published two influential white papers: Neighbourhoods of the Future and Better Homes for Older Adults – Improving Health, Care, Design and Technology, in 2017 and 2019.
Ian’s professional interest in health and wellbeing began in 2011 when he established Creative Skills For Life, a research project enabling young people living with life-threatening conditions to come together and explore their creative potential as a catalyst for healing and personal development.
In 2013 Ian was commissioned by Innovate UK to co-design the innovation agencies “Long Term Care Revolution” programme, which aimed to transform late-life care from an “end of life” institutional model, widely regarded as unfit for purpose, to a dynamic market of innovative new products and services that offer people greater choice and flexibility of care when they reach later life. This experience was the catalyst leading to the launch of the Agile Ageing Alliance in 2015.
Ian currently serves as an Advisor and Monitoring Officer for Innovate UK, responsible for promoting commercialisation and safeguarding public investment in a diverse portfolio of public grant-funded early-stage business initiatives.
Ian has always maintained an active interest and passion for the arts and creative industries. A notable example is “RockCouture”. With a view to raising funds and awareness for a pioneering new cancer care centre, Ian conceived and curated the RockCouture® collection, 150 electric guitars, personally customised by many of the biggest names in music, fashion, art and design. Following critically acclaimed exhibitions at the National Museum of Ireland, Galeries Lafayette Paris, and Harrods of London, illustrating the story of the electric guitar and its impact on pop culture, the guitars were auctioned for charity: www.rockcouture.tv
Previously Ian led Spero Communications, exploring innovative concepts in brand development, employing emerging technologies and new engagement channels to realise strategic objectives for major blue-chip brands, including the AA, BT, IBM, NEC, News Inc, Nortel, Toshiba, and Vodafone.
Ian has received commendations from among others: New York Festivals – awards for film and video; International Public Relations Golden World Award; IPR Sword of Excellence; PR Week Award; Revolution Magazine Award; BT Britain Award for Innovation; the Emerald Literati Network Award for Excellence; and IVCA (International Visual Communications Association), and Awards for Learning; Experiential Communication; and Entertainment.