I have always been a media and celebrity culture geek. Working with Phil Hall, former editor of News of The World and Hello!, was a dream come true. PR agency life was exciting but meant I’d often be working 12-hour long days, juggling a lot of clients and then going out to events most nights. I loved it at the time, but then I got unexpectedly pregnant, and everything changed. Having my son made me realise I couldn't keep up with the fast-paced lifestyle, I needed a better work-life balance.

Creating an agency where women thrive

When my little boy was just six weeks old, I took a leap of faith and set up my own PR agency. Never in a million years did I think I’d run my own business, but I’d just had this epiphany. I knew I had built a strong reputation in the industry, and I wanted the freedom to work on my own terms, so it felt like the right decision.

I got set up with a couple of clients and the business took off. Then three months in, I discovered my former colleague had also started his own agency. We decided to join forces – and Thinking Hat was born. Fast forward a few years and I met the talented Nic Forster who at the time was the Global Head of PR for notonthehighstreet.com, one of the UK’s fastest growing businesses. He’s now my co-founder and the rest is history.

To date, we have worked with hundreds of world-leading brands and inspiring SMEs (many of whom are strong female founders who are changing the game). But the best part? Building an agency where talented women from all backgrounds feel at home and empowered.

Overcoming stereotypes

Regardless of what sector or industry you’re in, every woman will come up against challenges. I'm very aware that looking a certain way, with big blonde hair and an Essex accent, it's easy for me not to be taken seriously and I've often been underestimated. People can make snap judgments and develop certain preconceptions, but I've learnt to pick my battles. If someone isn’t taking me seriously, they’re probably not the kind of person I want to work with.

When I started out in PR, the industry felt dominated by the white, middle-class elite. Many had private school backgrounds and first-class degrees whereas, I was a working class girl who scraped a 2:2 in Journalism from the University of East London. However, my drive and deep knowledge of celebrity PR soon became my superpower. Before long, I was running the celebrity department at my agency, a role I built from scratch, thanks to my boss and mentor, Phil Hall.

I wasn’t polished or conventionally well-spoken, but I was passionate and personable, and that differentiation served me well. Over the years, I’ve struggled with imposter syndrome, but becoming a mother made me realise that my differences were my strengths. Diversity isn’t just a buzzword for me – it’s a core value at Thinking Hat.

Building an inclusive and supportive environment

New research shows that nearly 74,000 women have lost jobs during maternity leave. That’s shocking – but unfortunately not surprising. Businesses need to work on supporting working mothers, or they will lose exceptional talent. That’s why we’ve made sure to prioritise flexibility, helping new mums transition back at a pace that works for them, whether that means reduced hours or flexible working to accommodate childcare needs.

Empathy goes a long way – it is one of the most underrated skills in business and it's something most women have in abundance. The ability to listen, nurture relationships, and understand people's individual circumstances and needs is invaluable. Creating a supportive workplace culture isn’t just the right thing to do – it also fosters success.

At Thinking Hat, we have no gender pay gaps and everyone has an equal chance to thrive. I champion all talent, but I particularly love seeing my girls win. I want to provide opportunities for women to grow and reach senior positions, and that’s why I encourage honesty – if someone tells me their career goals, I’ll do everything I can to help them get there. I never want to be seen as unapproachable, especially as having access to senior leadership is crucial for development.

For me, diversity isn’t just about gender – it’s about background, culture, and perspectives. Thinking Hat was my opportunity to build the kind of workplace I wished existed when I started out. If you surround yourself with people who think and act the same way, you limit creativity and innovation as you're going to approach things from exactly the same perspective. If you enable everyone to feel confident enough to bring their authentic selves to work every single day, that’s how they’ll do their best work and flourish.

Looking back, starting my business while on maternity leave was the best decision I ever made. It gave me the freedom to shape my career on my own terms while creating an agency where women can truly thrive. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that motherhood doesn’t have to hold you back – it can be the catalyst for something even greater.

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