Chairman, Robert Bessell

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.


Chief Executive, Stephen LadymanStephen 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.


Managing Director, Sarah JamesSarah 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.

Find a Property

Link to Advaced Search

Advanced Search

Select your property criteria.

Link to Advaced Search

View All Courts

View them on our interactive map.

Click to search regionSouth West RegionSouth RegionSouth West RegionWest Midlands RegionWalesEast MidlandsNorth West RegionNoth East Region

Open Days

February 10th @ 14:30
Gorselands, Aigburth Vale, Liverpool

Click Here

March 9th @ 14:30
King Richard, East Hunsbury, Northampton

Click Here

March 21st @ 14:30
Elizabeth, Salisbury, Wilts

Click Here

April 18th @ 14:30
Plymouth, Redditch, Worcs

Click Here

April 19th @ 14:30
Gorselands, Aigburth Vale, Liverpool

Click Here

Latest News

New Blog Post: England's Housing Strategy

29/11/2011

The Government has recently released its...

Read More

Latest Blog Post: Fairness to Leaseholders

01/04/2011

In his most recent blog post, Stephen La...

Read More

New Blog Post on The National Dementia Strategy

20/01/2011

Stephen Ladyman shares his thoughts on t...

Read More

7 Steps To Winter Wellbeing

10/12/2010

The recent cold snap has served as a rem...

Read More

Follow our Chief Executive’s Blog

26/11/2010

Retirement Security’s Chief Executive, S...

Read More

affordability image

Affordability

Want to know the cost of
a retirement property?

Click Here