As part of our ‘Mums in Tech’ series, we caught up with Caroline Hildreth, Principal at Netcompany.
The purpose of our 'MotherBoard’ interview series is to highlight incredible working mums within tech, as well as individuals and businesses that are supportive and progressive within their approach to creating more inclusive tech teams for women.
Firstly, can you please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your current role?
I’m a Principal at Netcompany, where I lead our work across transport specifically the digital roads sector. I work with organisations responsible for the UK’s transport networks, helping them use technology, data and digital transformation to solve complex operational problems and improve the way people travel. My route into tech was not a traditional one. I trained as a lawyer and spent more than a decade working in legal and commercial roles, but after returning from maternity leave I fundamentally changed direction. I wanted to be closer to delivery, solving problems and making a more tangible difference, which eventually brought me into transport technology.
I’m also married and mum to my eight-year-old son, Oscar.
If you could sum up what it’s like being a working mum in tech in one sentence, what would it be?
It is a constant juggle, but it has also made me more focused, resilient and determined to make my time and work count.
“It is a constant juggle, but it has also made me more focused, resilient and determined to make my time and work count.”
How do you find the balance between your career and motherhood?
I’m not sure balance is something you ever completely achieve. My husband also has a senior role that involves travel, so childcare takes a lot of planning, flexibility and a shared calendar. People often say it takes a village, and that is true, but ours is largely a paid-for village because we have limited family support nearby. I have also learned to manage my energy rather than trying to fit everything perfectly into every day.
What has been your greatest challenge as a working mother in tech?
The childcare juggle has been the greatest challenge. Senior roles do not always fit neatly around school hours, illness or the practical realities of family life, particularly when both parents travel for work. The mental load of making sure everything is covered can be as demanding as the logistics themselves.
What skills have you developed as a mother that have helped your work life?
Motherhood has strengthened my patience, empathy, prioritisation and resilience. It has made me better at focusing on what really matters, adapting quickly when plans change and understanding that people can be dealing with far more than you see in the workplace.
When you were returning to work, what one thing helped you / would have helped you the most?
What helped most was having someone recognise that returning from maternity leave did not mean returning to exactly the same career. I fundamentally changed direction, moving from law into technology. Support, coaching and the confidence to take that chance helped me see that I was not starting again from zero; I was bringing years of legal, commercial and problem-solving experience into a new industry.
What do you feel should be the top priority for employers who want to support working mothers better?
Employers need to replace good intentions with practical flexibility and fair, transparent routes to progression. Working mothers should not have to trade ambition for flexibility, or feel that caring responsibilities make them less committed. Sponsorship, supportive managers and a culture that judges people on outcomes rather than presenteeism make a real difference.
Any final words of advice for other mothers in the Tech Industry?
Your career does not have to be linear. Becoming a mother or changing direction does not erase the experience you already have. Be curious, take the chance and do not assume that everyone else in the room knows more than you do. You are not starting from zero; you are starting from experience.
“Your career does not have to be linear. Becoming a mother or changing direction does not erase the experience you already have. Be curious, take the chance and do not assume that everyone else in the room knows more than you do. You are not starting from zero; you are starting from experience.”
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