In this week’s Work It Like a Mum episode, we chat with Donna Wayman, Chief Operating Officer at Zurich Insurance. Donna is an award-winning leader with over 15 years of experience delivering strategic change in the financial services sector.

She also works part-time in a senior, global role, which you don't hear about daily. Donna shares her personal journey, her views on flexibility in leadership, and how Zurich is leading the charge on inclusive hiring practices.

What We Cover:

• Donna’s career journey from a Drama & English degree to COO at Zurich
• How Zurich became the first UK company to advertise all jobs as open to part-time and flexible working
• The cultural shift this created and the fourfold increase in women applying for roles
• What it looks like to work part-time in a C-suite position and how she sets boundaries
• The role of male allies in normalising flexible work across genders
• Why protecting your non-working days is vital for work-life balance and self-worth
• Donna’s role as a trustee for Aching Arms, a baby loss charity

Key Takeaways:

Flexibility fuels talent: When roles are openly advertised as flexible, the candidate pool becomes more diverse and inclusive.

Leadership isn’t about hours: Senior impact doesn’t require full-time availability—it requires clarity, focus, and trust.

Set and protect boundaries: Donna shares how protecting her non-working days helps manage mum guilt and improve her effectiveness.

Support from the top matters: Zurich’s executive team actively champions DE&I and flexible work, enabling real cultural change.

Men need flexibility too: Working flexibly accelerates equality and shifts workplace norms for everyone.

Show Links:

Connect with our host, Elizabeth Willetts here

Connect with Donna here

Visit Zurich’s website here

🎧 Tune in for a refreshing, honest, and inspiring conversation that will leave you rethinking what’s possible in your career, whether you're a parent, a leader, or just passionate about inclusive workplaces.

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In this week’s Work It Like a Mum episode, I’m joined by my friend and mentor, Sam Earnshaw, who shares her powerful story of going from stay-at-home mum to building a thriving career with Utility Warehouse (UW).

Sam’s journey is full of grit, growth, and grace from navigating early motherhood and relationship breakdowns to finally finding a work-life balance that fits her and her family. Whether you’re craving more flexibility, thinking about earning extra income, or love a story of perseverance and purpose, this one’s for you.

What We Cover:

• Navigating early motherhood while finishing university
• Making ends meet through creative at-home work
• The realities of traditional 9–5 life vs. working for yourself
• Feeling like an outsider in traditional work environments
• The reality of role reversals, co-parenting, and solo motherhood
• Finding flexibility, purpose, and success with UW
• How she now supports others in building income around family life

Key Takeaways:

You’re not behind. Starting over at any age is possible and powerful.

Traditional work isn’t for everyone. It doesn’t mean you’re not meant for success if you don't fit the mould.

Flexibility is key. You can earn well without sacrificing family time.

Community matters. Finding people who "get it" can change everything.

Parenting roles evolve. You can rewrite the rules and do what’s best for your kids.

You don’t need all the answers to begin. Just take the next step.

This episode is full of real talk about the juggle, resilience, and what it takes to rebuild your life and career on your own terms. Whether you're exploring new income streams, curious about UW, or love a good comeback story — this one’s for you.

Show Links:

Connect with our host, Elizabeth Willetts here

Connect with Sam here

Learn more about joining Utility Warehouse here

Boost your career with Investing in Women's Career Coaching! Get expert CV, interview, and LinkedIn guidance tailored for all career stages. Navigate transitions, discover strengths, and reach goals with our personalised approach. Book now for your dream job! Use 'workitlikeamum' for a 10% discount.

Support the show

Sign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!

Follow us on Instagram.

Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here.

And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

This week, I’m joined by Paula Stillman, Head of HR at Oxera — one of our favourite clients and long-time supporters of flexible and part-time working. Paula shares her career journey from retail to HR, how she found her calling in people and culture, and why she's so passionate about making the workplace more inclusive and adaptable for working parents.

🗂️ What We Cover:

• Paula’s unconventional path from pharmacy retail to HR leadership
• The emotional toll and growth from managing challenging people situations
• How she found purpose and alignment working at Oxera
• The evolution of Oxera from a 50-person office to a 300+ strong international firm
• Why flexible and part-time work needs more champions in leadership
• Building a values-led career that grows with you
• How Oxera creates a culture of longevity, learning and returners

💡 Key Takeaways:

Non-linear careers are often the most fulfilling. Paula’s path proves you don’t need a degree or a traditional route to thrive in leadership.

Kindness and fairness belong at every level of HR. Even tough conversations can be handled with empathy.

Culture comes from values and from people who live them. Oxera’s success is tied to its commitment to collaboration, integrity, and long-term growth.

Flexible work isn’t a perk, it’s a business advantage. Creating room for part-time roles and career returners builds better teams.

Long tenures start with opportunity. When people are given space to grow, they stay and thrive.

Whether you're early in your career or navigating leadership, this conversation is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to pivot — and that purpose and flexibility can (and should) coexist.

🔗 Show Links:

Connect with our host, Elizabeth Willetts here

Connect with Paula here

Visit Oxera’s website here

Support the show

Sign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!

Follow us on Instagram.

Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here.

And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

This week, I’m joined by Georgie Harris, co-founder of Mums Who Build — a community created to support mums navigating the often difficult return to work or business after having children.

After leaving a successful role at Burberry to care for her son with complex needs, Georgie found herself questioning identity, purpose, and financial security. She shares her journey of building back confidence — and how that experience led her to create a thriving support network for like-minded mums.

🗂️ What We Cover:

• Georgie’s decision to leave corporate life and how it reshaped her priorities
• The emotional and financial impact of caring for a child with additional needs
• How Mums Who Build started as a WhatsApp group and grew into a movement
• Redefining success and career identity post-motherhood
• Tools for rebuilding financial confidence and self-belief
• How to find — or create — a supportive community
• Managing burnout and the pressure to “bounce back”

💡 Key Takeaways:

• You’re allowed to start over. Career paths can shift dramatically — and that’s not failure.
• Financial resilience starts with confidence. Empowerment comes from knowledge and support.
• Community changes everything. Finding your people helps you rebuild faster and stronger.
• Don’t rush the return. Slowing down can be a power move — not a setback.
• Purpose evolves. What drives you may change after motherhood, and that’s where new magic can begin.

Whether you're returning to work after a break, building a business, or simply looking for community and clarity, this episode is packed with honesty, inspiration, and practical wisdom.

Show Links:

Connect with our host, Elizabeth Willetts here

Connect with Georgie here

Visit the Mums Who Build website here

Follow @mumswhobuild on Instagram

Support the show

Sign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!

Follow us on Instagram.

Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here.

And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

In this heartfelt episode of Work It Like a Mum, I’m joined by the inspiring Anja Webster — a breast cancer survivor turned recovery coach. After her own life-changing diagnosis and treatment journey, Anja now supports others navigating life after breast cancer.

We talk openly about the emotional rollercoaster of diagnosis, treatment, and recovery — and the often-overlooked period after the NHS signs you off. Anja shares her personal experiences with honesty and compassion, making this episode essential listening for anyone facing illness or supporting a loved one who is.

💬 In this episode, we discuss:

• Anja’s breast cancer diagnosis story and early warning signs
• The emotional weight of treatment and managing anxiety
• Talking to children about cancer
• What recovery really looks like — physically and emotionally
• Strategies for coping, including exercise, rest, and support systems
• Why Anja became a coach to help others post-treatment

💡 Key Takeaways:

• One in seven women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime — awareness and early detection matter
• Recovery isn’t just physical — the emotional healing is often just beginning after treatment ends
• Community, self-compassion, and open conversations can make all the difference

🎯 Perfect for:
Anyone facing a cancer diagnosis, navigating recovery, supporting a loved one, or interested in real stories of resilience and transformation.

Show Links:

Connect with our host, Elizabeth Willetts here

Connect with Anja here

Visit Anja’s Website here

Support the show

Sign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!

Follow us on Instagram.

Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here.

And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Gifty Enright — global workplace wellbeing expert, diversity and leadership consultant, TEDx speaker, and author of the highly acclaimed book Octopus on a Treadmill.

This conversation is full of empowering insights for working women — especially mothers — navigating the pressures of career, motherhood, identity, and self-care.

💬 In this episode, we talk about:

• The story behind Octopus on a Treadmill and why it resonates with working women
• What burnout really feels like and how to recognise it before it hits crisis point
• Losing yourself in motherhood and how to reconnect with your identity
• The myth of “having it all” and redefining success on your own terms
• Wellness, perimenopause, and rebuilding life with intention
• Presence, boundaries, and the legacy we leave our children

💡 Key Takeaways:

Burnout doesn’t always look dramatic

Losing yourself in motherhood is common

Self-care is not selfish

You don’t need to ‘have it all’ to be worthy

Perimenopause and burnout can overlap

Boundaries are essential

🔥 Whether you're deep in the juggle of work and motherhood or feeling the early signs of burnout, this episode will leave you feeling seen, supported, and inspired to take your power back.

Show Links:

Connect with our host, Elizabeth Willetts here

Connect with Gifty here

Visit Gifty’s Website here

Boost your career with Investing in Women's Career Coaching! Get expert CV, interview, and LinkedIn guidance tailored for all career stages. Navigate transitions, discover strengths, and reach goals with our personalised approach. Book now for your dream job! Use 'workitlikeamum' for a 10% discount.

Support the show

Sign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!

Follow us on Instagram.

Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here.

And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

This week on the Work It Like a Mum podcast, I’m joined by career coach Kim Holland, who specialises in helping parents navigate career transitions. We explore why becoming a parent often sparks the desire for a career change, how to approach that change with confidence, and the framework Kim uses to help people make meaningful, sustainable pivots.

From identity shifts and values realignment to creating a step-by-step plan, Kim shares expert advice for anyone feeling stuck or unfulfilled in their current role. If you’re considering a new direction in your career, this one’s for you.

💬 We Chat About:

– What “starting again” actually feels like in real life
– The grief, uncertainty, and freedom that come with letting go
– The myth of the linear path — and why “sense-making” can hold us back
– Kim’s self-connection framework: how to pause, feel, and move with intention
– Why rest and release are often the most radical next steps

📌 Key Takeaways:

🔁 Starting again doesn’t mean starting from zero
🚪 You don’t need to “justify” leaving something that no longer fits
🧭 Clarity doesn’t come from forcing decisions —
🧶 Kim’s framework helps untangle truth from noise,
🌱 It’s not a failure to pivot — it’s a sign of deep self-trust

🎧 Why Listen:
If you’re navigating a transition — or feeling the nudge to begin again — this episode will remind you that you’re not broken, behind, or lost. You’re just in between. And there’s real power in that space.

Show Links:

Connect with our host, Elizabeth Willetts here

Connect with Kim here

Visit Kim’s Website here

Learn more about Kim’s career MOT here

Tune in for real talk, fresh perspective, and the reminder that you're not starting over — you're just getting started.

Support the show

Sign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!

Follow us on Instagram.

Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here.

And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

Surprise! We’re dropping a bonus episode this week — pulled from one of our recent LinkedIn Live conversations — and it’s a good one.

In this special edition, I’m joined by the ever-brilliant Rebecca Newenham, founder of Get Ahead, a business support agency that connects businesses with freelance experts on a flexible basis. With 14 years in business and zero cold calls, Rebecca has grown her company purely through the power of networking.

She also runs LinkedIn Local Guildford and is known by many (myself included) as the Queen of Networking. So if you've ever cringed at the idea of networking, or felt stuck trying to build connections in a new industry — this one's for you.

💬 What We Chat About:

• Why building a network matters — especially when pivoting careers or launching a business
• How Rebecca grew her business entirely through authentic connections
• Making networking feel less icky and more you
• Balancing online and offline networking (and why both matter)
• How to confidently approach people on LinkedIn
• Using tools like AI to find your voice when posting or reaching out
• Showing up consistently — and why that’s more important than being perfect
• Building visibility through thoughtful engagement (not just likes)

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• 80% of opportunities come through your network — not job boards
• You don’t need to be loud to be seen — just be yourself
• It’s not about pitching, it’s about connecting
• Commenting > lurking — thoughtful engagement builds your reputation
• You can grow your network before you need it — start now
• AI can help with ideas, but your voice is what matters most
• Being visible is a choice — and consistency is your friend

If you're job-hunting, career-shifting, or just trying to feel less awkward about networking — hit play on this bonus episode. It’s packed with real, practical advice and the kind of reassurance we all need.

Show Links:

Connect with our host, Elizabeth Willetts here

Connect with Rebecca here

Visit the Get Ahead Website here

Learn more about LinkedIn Local Guildford here

Support the show

Sign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!

Follow us on Instagram.

Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here.

And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!