Launching a new career in your 40s and 50s can be a daunting prospect, but that doesn’t mean it should be ruled out. Janet Gaymer advises baby boomers to dust off their CVs

69bd0e0b-0c11-480f-960f-d47246d261e4I remember vividly the moment when I contemplated being unemployed. It was the summer of 2005. I had decided that I would not seek re-election as senior partner of Simmons & Simmons – believing, as I still do, that organisations benefit from the introduction of fresh thoughts and new ideas. My diary for 2006 was filling up with various commitments and meetings until August when my term as senior partner was due to end. After that, there was nothing but blank pages. What was I going to do next?