Meet the Employer Services Team
Published: 29 Nov 2023
We often say that people are an organisation’s best asset, and that is certainly the case with Working Families. To say there is a wealth of skills and expertise in our Employer Services team would be an understatement. Although our members, who have dedicated Relationship Managers, are familiar with their knowledge and abilities when it comes to supporting employers with specific challenges, we thought we’d put our Employer Services team under the spotlight for a change, so everyone can get to know them a little better.
Diana Gilmore
Relationship Manager
What was the route into your role?
My career has spanned an eclectic mix of publishing and investment sales, starting out in Hong Kong, then moving into events management, journalism and recruitment. I found my way to Working Families as I was working in charity recruitment, saw the advertisement for a Relationship Manager and immediately thought ‘that is my dream role’!
Describe your job in three words.
Relationship managers are juggling, money-spinning networkers!
Tell us something we didn’t know about you.
I auditioned for Big Brother many moons ago!
Susanne Woodhams
Relationship Manager
What was your route into your role?
Having worked in recruitment for most of my professional life I wanted to bring my expertise into a new type of role. After having my second child, I decided I wanted to make a positive change that sees more employers being supportive of working parents. Diana Gilmore, who I had previously worked with for a number of years, mentioned Working Families were looking for a Relationship Manager, and so I applied – and the rest is history!
Describe your job in three words.
Busy, varied and rewarding.
Tell us something we didn’t know about you.
I grew up in Belgium and went to an International school, which really opened my mind to different nationalities and ways of living at a young age.
Donna Patterson
Relationship Manager
What was your route into your role?
Having my own experience and witnessing others experience monumental hurdles to remain in their chosen careers after becoming a parent made me want to do something to change and improve things for working parents. I had previously worked as a retail buyer, but when I came across the Relationship Manager role at Working Families it sounded like exactly the job I wanted to do. And having done the role I can confirm my thoughts were right!
Describe your job in three words.
Making a difference.
Tell us something we didn’t know about you.
I have an extremely large family – I have over 50 first cousins!
Hannah Francis
Relationship Manager
What was the route into your role?
I’ve spent most of my career within HR teams and have always loved exploring how best to support individuals to thrive at work. After starting my own family, I experienced firsthand the friction between work and caring responsibilities, and how this differed for myself and my husband. I then observed many of my friends start their families, and whilst each circumstance was unique, the same themes and patterns occurred. Joining Working Families has been a natural progression for me, both personally and professionally. I am honoured, excited and motivated to support organisations on their journey to be flexible and family-friendly employers.
Describe your job in three words.
Insightful, progressive, impactful.
Tell us something we didn’t know about you.
I’ve just planted over 100 bulbs in the garden for next Spring!
Lottie Driver
Relationship Manager
What was your route into your role?
I had a short but enjoyable stint working in advertising sales before making the move to work in the third sector about 10 years ago. I’ve worked in local, regional and international charities. For me, it’s really important to feel passionate about the work I do and the cause behind it. I became a mum in 2021 which completely changed my world and my worldview. Joining Working Families a year ago was a no brainer for me, as I get to work with employers (something I’ve loved doing over the last 4 years) and help remove the barriers working parents and carers face in the workplace.
Describe your job in three words.
Varied, rewarding, collaborative.
Tell us something we didn’t know about you.
I love anything creative like sewing, decorating, and interior design.
Emma Mortimer
Strategic Partnerships Manager
What was your route into your role?
I started my career in marketing. In my previous charity role, I transitioned into commercial growth and strategy. With my strengths as a communicator, the move to Working Families as Strategic Partnership Manager was a great fit – it also came with the added benefit of being present for my family.
Describe your job in three words.
Opportunity, relationships, challenge.
Tell us something we didn’t know about you.
I learnt British Sign Language (bit rusty now though!)
Find out more about becoming a Working Families member.