His latest innovation, Kerb Care, creates digital parking permissions outside clients’ homes, allowing caregivers to focus on providing care rather than worrying about parking fines. This solution reflects Neil’s broader vision: ensuring caregivers can deliver unrushed, meaningful support, while those receiving care maintain dignity and independence. Guided by what Neil calls “digitising common sense,” Kerb Care embodies his people-first approach to solving everyday problems. 

Neil’s journey into the sector began in 1984, when, fresh out of school and unsure of his next steps, he took a job driving a van for a fish stall at Sunderland Fish Quay. What started as a temporary gig turned into an 18-year career running three fish retail outlets and employing 13 people. It was grueling work, but it opened Neil’s eyes to the struggles of ordinary people, especially when dealing with regulations disconnected from reality. 

One pivotal moment was the EU’s ban on selling goods by the pound, which sparked Neil’s passion for challenging unfair rules. This drive to stand up for people has shaped every venture since—from fighting parking fines to revolutionising urban kerbside  management, always with practical, people-first solutions in mind.  

His transition from the fish markets to parking and care wasn’t a straight line. Authorities, Neil explains, had been using parking fines as a revenue stream for years. “Town centers were  struggling because of it,” he adds. Neil began challenging the system, becoming an expert on parking and helping companies navigate the millions in fines they accrued while conducting business in city centers. But it was the case of Ella Kissi-Debrah, a young girl from London who tragically died due to air pollution—the first UK death to have air pollution listed as a cause—that deeply affected Neil. 

The impact of poor air quality, with 375,000 Londoners registered with asthma and over 400,000 premature deaths across the EU attributed to it, prompted Neil to rethink urban spaces. This led to his invention of the “virtual loading bay,” allowing vehicles to digitally reserve parking spots. This innovation helped cities better manage their kerbside spaces, reducing congestion and, crucially, improving air quality.  

Through this work, Neil developed an understanding of the urban kerbside as a key piece of real estate where deliveries, taxis, cyclists, and buses all intersect. The idea of kerbside  management wasn’t on anyone’s radar ten years ago, but now it’s central to improving city environments. Neil’s team is working with local authorities in places like Westminster, Lambeth, and Southwark to implement these changes, aiming to create more sustainable, efficient urban spaces. 

It was while working on urban logistics that Neil noticed the inefficiencies in the care sector, particularly in how caregivers lose precious time due to parking difficulties. “If you’re delivering care to someone, and you’ve got to park five minutes away, that 30-minute care visit becomes 20 minutes,” he explains. Caregivers were not only paying for parking, but they also weren’t getting paid for the time it took them to walk back and forth. Kerb Care, Neil’s innovative system, allows caregivers to park right outside their clients’ homes, cutting down on “dwell time” and letting them focus on the quality of care. 

For Neil, this isn’t just about creating new technology—it’s about using technology to solve real problems. “Technology is the enabler,” he says, “but it’s about people.” Neil’s approach to innovation has always been rooted in practicality and human needs. He recalls how companies like Uber introduced thousands of vehicles in cities like London but only offered minimal accessible options for disabled users. “It’s about making sure no one gets left behind,” he insists. 

A key partner in Neil Herron’s mission is our very own programme, the Internet of Caring Things (IoCT), part of the National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA). The IoCT programme focuses on technology that supports people and communities, seamlessly integrating care into daily life. Neil commends their collaborative approach, saying, “They speak on your level,” highlighting their ability to bridge technical solutions with real-world challenges. This partnership is vital as Neil advances his vision of connecting caregivers and urban infrastructure to benefit everyone. 

Neil’s drive comes from both professional and personal experiences. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s five years ago, he understands the importance of maintaining independence and dignity in the face of health challenges. Kerb Care is not just a business venture for him—it’s a way to ensure people can live comfortably at home without adding stress to caregivers. 

His reflections on the future are deeply personal. As a father and grandfather, he’s motivated by the desire to create a better world for his children and future generations. “It’s about solving problems that matter—air quality, congestion, care,” he says, becoming visibly emotional. For Neil, innovation isn’t about flashy new tech; it’s about addressing real-world issues. 

He acknowledges the obstacles in the way—“politics, ego, power, and money”—but believes collaboration is key. His work with IoCT and NICA shows that innovation succeeds only when it meets the needs of real people. He values NICA’s Voice panel for connecting businesses with communities, allowing them to test solutions that address everyday challenges. Neil urges the government to provide sustained innovation funding, stressing that too often, great projects are sidelined due to lack of long-term support. 

At the heart of Neil Herron’s work is a simple belief: “Make things more accessible and inclusive, and you’ll not only make money but also make a difference.” For Neil, common sense drives innovation, with technology always in service of human needs. Whether through kerbside management or caregiving solutions, his goal is clear: to create a better, more inclusive future for everyone. “If we can make the world a little bit better, that’s what it’s all about,” he concludes.