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About us

Retirement Security Ltd was established by current Chairman, Robert Bessell in 1983

As the then Director of Social Services in Warwickshire, Robert Bessell recognised that there could and should be an alternative for many people being admitted to residential and nursing care homes.

Retirement Security became the pioneer of Very Sheltered Housing for sale in the UK. The company’s principal aims are to sustain the independence of elderly residents (Owners), anticipate their progressive needs, enhance Owners’ quality of life, and preserve their capital.

Stephen Ladyman
Chief Executive

Stephen was the Member of Parliament for South Thanet from 1997 to 2010. Between 2003 and 2005 he was Minister for Community in the Department of Health and from 2005 to 2007 he was Minister of State in the Department for Transport.

Stephen began his career as a radiation biologist working for the Medical Research Council and then specialised in building computer networks for medical research institutes such as the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology. Prior to becoming an MP he was Head of Computer Support in the UK Central Research division of Pfizer, the international pharmaceutical company.

As a health minister he was responsible for older people’s heath and adult social services and led the publication of the Government’s social care green paper, ‘Independence, Wellbeing and Choice.’ As a minister he strongly promoted the ‘very sheltered’ concept of retirement housing offered by Retirement Security Ltd and championed this model of accommodation (which Government documents usually call ‘Extra Care Housing’) throughout his Parliamentary career.

Although he is most proud of the work he did as a health minister he is probably best known by the public for his work in Transport and his appearance on Top Gear. You can catch his lap in the ‘reasonably priced car’ on the BBC website – he beat Jeremy Clarkson’s time!

Stephen joined RSL on June 1st 2010.

Sarah James
Managing Director

After qualifying with Coopers & Lybrand as a chartered accountant in 1990 Sarah joined LloydsTSB and spent time at their Birmingham and Bristol offices.

After a short spell at Britannic Assurance she joined RSL as Financial Controller in 2003 and built up her knowledge of the Courts through many budget and accounts meetings.

Sarah went to the local Grammar school in Stratford and finds it strange but enjoyable to be back working in the Town.

She lives locally in Alcester and has two daughters who take up any spare time she may have and who ensure she is never bored.

Rachel Crockett
Director of Services

Rachel joined RSL at the beginning of June as Director of Services. She has previously worked extensively within public sector services in Warwickshire County Council, primarily in the provision of services for older people and people with disabilities.

Starting her career as a care assistant many years ago, Rachel progressed through to senior management where she concluded her role with the lead for Dignity in Care and Dementia Care.

With a focus on the improvement and maintenance of high quality, individual services, Rachel has driven key projects to promote the importance of the well being of older people with nationally recognised good practise examples in relation to good nutrition and person centred dementia care.

Rachel lives in Stratford upon Avon with her husband Tom, and her daughter Louie, who is shortly to flee the nest and go off to University.

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Registered in England No: 1612921
18 Wood Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6JF
Tel: 01789 292952 Fax: 01789 297234

Copyright © 2008 Retirement Security Ltd
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