Duncan Bannatyne, OBE, the distinguished Scottish entrepreneur, philanthropist, and author, renowned for his role as a business angel on the BBC programme Dragons’ Den, has joined the Assisted Living Project as a non-executive board member.
The Assisted Living Project is an independent property organisation focused on the provision of assisted living accommodation across the UK. Founded by Managing Director Thomas Williams, the company collaborates with charitable trusts and care providers to provide accessible housing solutions for individuals facing long-term disabilities and enduring illnesses, including Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and mental health issues.
The UK government reports that there are 16 million people living with disabilities in the country, with nearly 1.2 million people (1,183,900) aged 65+ who don’t receive the care support they need with essential daily living activities. Duncan’s appointment comes at a crucial time as the Assisted Living Project addresses this critical shortage of suitable housing options tailored to the specific needs of individuals with diverse health conditions. Leveraging his extensive experience and commitment to charitable causes, Duncan will play a pivotal role in advancing the mission of the Assisted Living Project.
The former Business Matters columnist received an OBE for his outstanding contribution to charity. With a portfolio spanning seven books, his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to philanthropy make him a valuable addition to the Assisted Living Project’s leadership team. Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Duncan Bannatyne stated, “The organisation’s commitment to improving the quality of life for the individuals they serve aligns perfectly with my own values. I look forward to working closely with the team and leveraging my expertise to contribute to the growth and success of the Assisted Living Project.”
Managing Director Thomas Williams commented, “We are honoured to welcome Duncan Bannatyne to the Assisted Living Project as a non-executive board member. His passion for philanthropy and extensive business acumen will undoubtedly enhance our efforts to provide accessible housing solutions for individuals facing long-term disabilities and enduring illnesses. Working hand in hand with housing associations and care providers, our goal is to deliver more than 100 apartments ready for assisted living occupancy and become a publicly listed REIT by 2025. We look forward to achieving these milestones with Duncan’s support.
Duncan joins the Assisted Living Project board consisting of two directors, including Managing Director Thomas Williams and Operations Director Stephen Laszlo, and a team of seven board advisors.