Clarity, Confidence and Purpose: Kelvin Glen’s Midlife Pivot 

Kelvin Glen moved from South Africa to the UK and landed a corporate role in the retirement living sector. After a while he found that the business model did not sit comfortably with him, so he chose to do something about it.

Comfortable on Paper, Uncomfortable in Practice

With a long track record as a leader of international charities, he was well qualified. He threw himself into the work, building his team, making changes, and driving improvement.

From the outside, everything looked solid. He was competent, capable, and delivering. But inside, a quiet unease grew. The more decisions he made, the more he felt that the model he was working within was not right for him.

“It was a strong organisation and a challenging role,” he recalls. “But when the balance tipped too often towards shareholders and away from residents, I couldn’t go home at the end of the day comfortable with the decisions I had made.”

He wasn’t failing. He was doing well. Yet the sense of discomfort grew and after a few months, friends began to notice that something had shifted in him.

Listening When Others Notice

It was a trusted friend who made him pause and take stock of the situation.

“She asked me what was wrong, that I wasn’t myself, but I kept saying I was fine. She refused to accept it.”

It was a simple challenge, but one that cut through. He realised he had been pushing the unease aside, trying to outwork it, convincing himself it would settle. Instead, he listened and gave himself permission to explore why the role didn’t feel aligned.

A Measured Learning Journey

The next six months became a period of deliberate reflection. Kelvin journaled, self-coached, asked tough questions of himself and leaned on others for feedback.

“I probably spent over 100 hours on it. Thinking in the car, on walks, writing things down, talking it through. I knew I had to figure it out properly and make a plan that would work.”

This was not about a quick fix but a learning journey. Kelvin wanted to understand why he felt uncomfortable, what he valued, and what kind of role would align with his purpose.

He sought feedback from people who knew him well enough not to sugarcoat their answers. What he uncovered was simple but powerful: he needed to work for an organisation where people came before profit. That had been the golden thread of his career, and it had to be the anchor for what came next.

A Practical Model for Alignment

The way forward for Kelvin was not abstract. He wanted a clear framework he could apply to new opportunities.

“I decided that if a job gave me 80 per cent of what I was looking for, and covered the true non-negotiables, that was good enough,” he says. ”

This pragmatic “80% rule” gave him a compass. Once he had defined it, momentum followed quickly. Instead of being in discomfort, he now had a way forward and could measure whether a role was the right fit. And with that clarity came confidence.

Midlife and a Switch in Perspective

Kelvin describes this period as a natural stage of midlife, when the second half of a career comes into focus.

“It’s not about being too old. It’s that your priorities change. You become more confident about what you bring, and you want your work to count for something. You’re more driven to step forward in the right direction than to compromise.”

That switch of perspective gave him the confidence to act.

Bold Moves and Human Connections

With clarity, Kelvin began making bold moves. He reached out to his network, spoke to recruiters, and met people face-to-face. In fact, it was a contact in his global charity network that told Kelvin about the CEO job at Horsham Matters.

“I think work has become very task focused and too virtual, and there’s a lack of creative and strategic thinking. There's huge benefits in taking the time to meet up with people in your network.”

A Plan and the Confidence to Stick to It

Kelvin did not resign until he had secured his new role. He had built his plan and was determined to stick to it.

“When I handed in my notice, there was a chance for renegotiation, but I had already made the decision to move on.”

For him, the point was to leave well, and to move forward with confidence and integrity, knowing he had made the right decision.

Aligned, On Purpose, and Building Forward

A few months into Horsham Matters, Kelvin is clear that he has found the right fit.

“I am aligned to my purpose again. Every day is diverse, meaningful and rewarding. We are changing lives. This morning we have supported 97 people. That’s what I want to do day to day.”

Now his focus is on developing his team, strengthening the organisation, and setting Horsham Matters up for future growth.

Lessons for Those Considering the Charity Sector

Kelvin is quick to point out that charity work is not for everyone. While the skills developed in corporate business including strategy, finance, marketing, and people management are in demand, the environment is leaner, faster and less resourced. You should be willing to adjust, to roll up your sleeves because work will mean leading with smaller teams and fewer resources.

Kelvin suggests those interested in this pivot test it out before committing and do the homework first by volunteering, joining as a trustee or taking on a part time project.

Editor’s Reflection

Kelvin’s story shows that a career pivot at midlife does not need to be dramatic. By listening when others noticed and investing more than 100 hours of self-reflection, he got clarity. By using his network and sticking to his plan, he moved at pace into a role that suited him better. His journey is proof that a career shift can be practical, steady and purposeful and that alignment leads to confidence and renewed energy for the future, with no thoughts of retirement. Kelvin feels inspired not retired in his fifties!

For anyone questioning their path at 50 and beyond, Kelvin’s advice is simple: step back, reflect, connect and don't settle for work that doesn’t fit.

Me/Redefined: Helping Midlife Workers Feel Inspired, Not Retired

Me/Redefined is our online career coaching and learning programme designed for employers to support their midlife workforce. It helps employees explore this next chapter and identify what they want from life and work. For some, this might mean a staged exit or sabbatical. For others, it could mean flexible work, a shift into new responsibilities, or simply the confidence to recommit with fresh energy.

By offering Me/Redefined to their employees, companies can provide the same clarity and confidence that Kelvin found through reflection and support. The result is not only stronger fulfilment for individuals, but also greater loyalty, knowledge retention and extended careers that benefit both people and organisations.

Explore more at Me/Redefined

About Horsham Matters in West Sussex

For almost two decades, Horsham Matters has been at the heart of the community, offering vital support to individuals and families facing hardship, walking alongside people in their most difficult moments. offering a pathway towards stability, dignity, and hope for the future.