JULIA REEVES
Business Change Programme Director
Dixons Carphone Plc
Pattern worked: 4 days a week
Julia works closely with the strategy team at Dixons Carphone to bring the company’s vision to life, driving best-inclass project, programme and change management to successfully deliver the business objectives. A notable example of her success to date has been leading the post-merger transformation of the company’s entire UK and Ireland retail estate. She is also involved in defining the company’s roadmap for future change, a vital role in such a fast-moving sector. Julia chose to work part-time to create space for family, fitness and volunteering; she was hired into her previous role, and promoted into her current one, on that basis. She has recruited new staff into part-time roles and actively promotes flexible working at all levels within her team.
SUSAN ROSCOE
Partner
Linklaters
Pattern worked: 4 days a week
Susan is a partner in the Dispute Resolution practice group at Linklaters, specialising in contentious restructuring, insolvency and asset recovery. She has played a significant role in a number of high-profile cases, including the administration of Lehman Brothers, and has also been involved in graduate recruitment activities for the firm over a number of years. Susan was the first Linklaters partner to be elected whilst on maternity leave, and the first in her department to carry out the role on a part-time basis. She is co-lead of the firm’s WomenOnBoards initiative, and has encouraged many people within her practice group to work flexibly; the group has seen a noticeable increase in the number of men taking shared parental leave and seeking more flexible working arrangements.
SADIE SCAIFE
Senior Director, Risk Solutions
Willis Towers Watson
Pattern worked: 3.5 days a week
Sadie is a qualified actuary with over 15 years’ experience in insurance and pensions. She is part of the management team in charge of a diverse group of over 60 specialist professionals, who help pension schemes reduce their risks. She also manages her own portfolio of prestigious clients, and has advised on a number of landmark transactions, including the first £1bn+ bulk annuity. Sadie chose to work part-time after maternity leave, and continued to do so when her specialist experience and track record of delivering key client projects led to her promotion to the management team. A keen cultivator of emerging talent, she is a visible and vocal supporter of flexible working, and regularly encourages others who are considering taking a similar step.
IAIN SELFRIDGE
Partner, Accounting Consulting Services
PwC
Pattern worked: 4 days a week
Having worked at PwC for 28 years in the UK, Canada and Japan, Iain leads a technical team advising clients on a range of topics to help improve their financial reporting and ensure they are complying with international and UK standards. He also leads the Knowledge Management team, and is involved in shaping the future direction of financial reporting for the firm. Iain took the decision to work part-time when a family member became ill 12 years ago, at a time when flexibility at a senior level was unusual. As well as leading by example, he spent five years running PwC’s Parents Network, and acts as a sounding board for those who are considering a move to part-time working.
RIAZ SHAH
Partner, Global Talent
EY
Pattern worked: 50% contract
Working with EY’s global leadership team, Riaz leads strategic talent projects for the firm, world-wide. Based at EY’s global headquarters in London, he has most recently designed and launched a digital development programme, EY Badges, one of a series of initiatives employed to prepare EY’s workforce for the future of work. Riaz also leads and hosts EY’s Global New Partner Programme, which inaugurates the firm’s annual intake of new partners. Alongside his role at EY, Riaz founded The One Degree Academy, a new school in north London for disadvantaged children, with an innovative approach to education. He is now the school’s Chair of Governors. Riaz is also a board member of Common Purpose and the Bright Ideas Club,and coaches several start-up CEOs.
DARREN STOLZENBERG
Partner
CMS
Pattern worked: 80% contract
Darren is a partner in the funds and indirect real assets team, with clients including institutional and private equity fund managers and institutional investors. He works in a team of six partners and 20 fee-earners, and is a leader and mentor for LGBT staff. Darren uses his 80% arrangement to be able to spend time with his family in Australia, working five days per week and using the extra days he accrues to take blocks of time away, with the support of his clients and senior leaders. He has continued to further his career whilst working flexibly and encourages his team to do the same; he has recently recruited a new member of staff on a part-time basis.
CLARA SWINSON
Director-General, Global and Public Health
Department of Health and Social Care
Pattern worked: 4 days a week
After joining the Department of Health as a graduate trainee, Clara rose swiftly through the ranks, working in a range of roles across central government. Now Director General, she is accountable for all aspects of global and public health in England, including advising ministers, sponsoring Public Health England and acting as Head of Policy Profession for the Department of Health and Social Care. Clara was promoted into her current role on a part-time basis, and is seen as a role model for flexible working, delivering her role successfully whilst devoting her non-working day and evenings to her caring responsibilities. She has encouraged colleagues to work flexibly in a range of ways, including part-time roles, job shares and flexible hours.
AUBRIE TOWN
Data Monetisation Programme Director
Nectar
Pattern worked: 4 days a week
Aubrie headed up the strategic development and relationship management of the Nectar Rewards programme, comprising 70 cross-sector partners and 130 product lines, to drive scale, performance and engagement through the delivery of valuable customer rewards. She was subsequently promoted into a new role in order to replicate her success and drive data innovation across the business. One of the first employees to return to work part-time after maternity leave, she has since played a key part in making it the norm, continually offering coaching and support to colleagues on flexible working, and championing the concept of "Making work work for you". Outside of work, she has set up an online hub to share the highs and lows of being a mother.
SARAH WILLOWS
Chief Financial Officer
KPMG
Pattern worked: 4 days a week
As CFO and Head of Operations, Sarah manages KPMG’s finances, financial strategy and business planning, as well as leading the IT, facilities and resourcing teams. She is also a member of the firm’s UK Executive and Board, and chairs the Investment Review Board. Sarah was one of the youngest female employees to be elected to the partnership, aged just 32. She was promoted into her current role in 2016 while on maternity leave, negotiating a four-day week as part of her package. Sarah is a vocal supporter of KPMG’s Parent Network, and has encouraged both team members and contractors to adjust their hours to help them manage their work-life balance.
Main image credit: Gaudilabs/Shutterstock
