Helen Bown is Head of Policy and Research at the National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi). After 10 years working in the NHS, Helen then worked for the Health Advisory Service to set up and run their programme of service and thematic reviews focusing on older people. In 2001 she helped to set up and then lead the Older People's Programme at Kings College London, an independent development and research body working to improve services, experiences and life chances of older people. She has worked in and around public services for 25 years, and for most of this time has focused on delivering and improving services with and for older people.