I’m part of a connected community for parents

About me

I’ve been a foster carer since 2013, so my weekends are often very hectic and involve activities with the children, whether that’s theme parks, seaside trips or just days exploring. My husband and I welcomed our own son through surrogacy in July 2020 so he keeps us very busy along with our 3 big dogs that love long walks. 

I originally joined PwC’s Deals Valuations team after I graduated, and have since progressed to a Manager in the team.

How has PwC’s SPACE (Supporting Parents Carers Everyone Else) network benefited you?

Being a member of PwC’s SPACE network has really helped me feel part of a connected community. When I started my career at PwC, I was worried that I’d fall behind in my career due to having to take time for my children, as I’m sure many parents can relate to. However, the support I’ve experienced myself and the stories I’ve heard from other working parents continues to inspire me and reminds me that a successful career and a fulfilling family life is possible.

How has PwC helped you balance your career with your family and caring commitments?

My husband and I took shared parental leave when our son was born, allowing us both to have an incredible 6 months to bond with our little boy in his first year. As fostering involves attending numerous last-minute meetings with the children, everyday flexibility at PwC thankfully enables me to attend these without using up my annual leave and I can flex my hours to accommodate my commitments. This flexibility also allows me to occasionally pick up my son from nursery early, giving us some extra quality time together.

The IVF process was incredibly challenging. I had recently joined PwC when we were on our fourth attempt and was about to take an exam just days after implanting our son. We found out our IVF had finally worked and our surrogate was pregnant - although my Senior Manager probably doesn’t know it, her empathy at the time meant the world to me.

Which PwC value resonates with you the most and why?

I feel working together and care are the biggest values that have resonated with me at PwC. The care I’ve received from others throughout my career has been enormous. Leadership also continues to set a great example and takes time to understand how all employees are feeling, what they can do to improve this and how they'll work together with teams to get the best outcomes, for both employees and clients.