Announcing Award Winner Martin Lewis, the Retired Electrical Engineer Helping People Cut Costs

It's Never too Late to Follow Your Dreams

Martin's company Homeglow was initially formed to help his late wife, Audrey, stay warm and cope with her multiple illnesses. After witnessing the success of his project, Martin decided to explore manufacturing – where he has since sold thousands of products and gained hundreds of thousands in profits.

Martin’s story proves that it’s never too late to follow your dreams.

As a retired electrical engineer, Martin used his transferable avionics, keyboard and touchscreen technology skills to solve a problem when his wife became ill. His heated seat cover business, Homeglow, embodies a purposeful mission. The product is designed to support vulnerable elderly and those with multiple health conditions at a low running cost of 1 pence per hour, to retain core temperature and improve their physical and mental health.

Martin pivoted his business during the energy crisis to include councils and online retailers as new customer segments who took on the product to offer their customers warmth at low cost. He has brought significant expertise to developing Homeglow, working with Swansea University to prove the costs and benefits via research.

Now 88, Martin is involving his daughter and grandson in the business, sharing his expertise across generations. His perseverance, problem-solving mindset and desire to help others make Martin a worthy winner.

From the Royal Air Force to Launching His Own Business

Martin is not your typical entrepreneur and has held many different careers throughout his life. He was a signals officer for the Royal Air Force during the Cold War, before working in East Africa and eventually ending up in a development team for a startup.

Throughout all these careers, Martin held a passion for solving problems, which was satisfied by the creation of Homeglow. Knowing that a product he created is easing people’s struggles – and at a minimal cost – has made every hurdle he’s faced absolutely worth it.

“My latest project has given me great satisfaction, knowing that the concept and my solution has opened up a whole new field for easing the people’s basic problems – be it keeping warm, easing their pain, increasing a sense of wellbeing and even helping them recover more quickly from illness or discharge from hospital – all for minimal cost,” said Martin.

55/Redefined, is proud to have sponsored the inaugural Unretirement Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the 2023 Great British Entrepreneur Awards in conjunction with Specsavers. This award recognises founders over the age of 50 who have successfully launched businesses after retirement.

Martin is just one of the over-50s stepping out and making things happen as a later-life entrepreneur. The stories of our other shortlisted candidates are equally compelling. You can also hear more inspiring stories from over-50s who are changing the status quo by visiting our Redefiners page.