Mums in Tech ft. Emily Wilkinson
As part of our ‘Mums in Tech’ series, we caught up with Emily Wilkinson, Commerce Product Owner at Berry Bros & Rudd.
The purpose of our 'MotherBoard’ content series is to highlight incredible working mums within tech & data, as well as individuals and businesses that are supportive and progressive within their approach to creating more inclusive tech & data teams for women.
Firstly, can you please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your current role?
I am Emily, a Product Owner at a Luxury Wine & Spirit brand. I’ve been here 4 years and have been working on a large-scale digital transformation programme. Day to day, I work across a variety of internal teams and with external suppliers to deliver the change and keep aligned to the business objectives.
If you could sum up what it’s like being a working mum in tech in one sentence, what would it be?
Balancing a fast-paced, ever-evolving demands of industry with the joy and challenge of raising a little one - constant flexibility, adaptability, and a strong support system are required!
“It is always a struggle to find the balance, especially mentally. Guilt can creep in on both sides”
How do you find the balance between your career and motherhood?
I set boundaries - when I am at work, I am working. When I finish, that is my time to be mum and enjoy it with my family. I find that having hybrid working gives me a wonderful opportunity to have more “mum” time. Lunch breaks a couple of times a week are spent at the playpark or going for walks with my daughter. It is always a struggle to find the balance, especially mentally. Guilt can creep in on both sides - not spending all the time with my daughter, but also the guilt of not spending the evening learning. I made the decision to go back to work after 5 months, whilst my partner became a stay at home dad. I’m still navigating this new world.
What has been your greatest challenge as a working mother in tech?
Learning that after having a child, you’re a different person. Physically and mentally, having a child changes you. It takes a while to “bounce back” and you have to learn to cope on little sleep and understand the changes your body is going through. This isn’t strictly tech, it's the case for any mother going back into a career.
Longer term, when my daughter will be going to school, I perceive other challenges - daily stand-ups clashing at school times, releases at unsociable hours. Attending tech events late in the evening is already a challenge - I dont want to miss out on bedtimes because Im working.
“Inclusive workplace cultures that value their contributions and offer resources like parental leave and childcare support would make a huge difference.”
What skills have you developed as a mother that have helped your work life?
Operating on little sleep! I was fairly patient before, but having a little child means everything is much slower. I’ve brought that to work, and stopped thinking I need to work at a hundred miles an hour. Time management has always been a fairly good quality of mine - but I now look at other ways to be more efficient in the workplace. Additionally, my ability to empathise and communicate clearly with others has strengthened.
When you were returning to work, what one thing helped you / would have helped you the most?
I returned after 5 months, mostly due to finances. My line manager allowed me to use my holiday to come back on 4 days per week, instead of 5. It made it a bit smoother to transition back into the project. I think that having the ability to do this, maybe for a few months, would be an enormous benefit for most mothers (and fathers) coming back into work.
“Don’t be afraid to set boundaries, prioritise self-care, and celebrate your achievements - however small they may feel.”
What do you feel should be the top priority for employers who want to support working mothers better?
Flexible hours, remote working options, or a hybrid model. This enables mothers to manage their professional responsibilities alongside their new family life, reducing stress and improving work-life balance. More widely, inclusive workplace cultures that value their contributions and offer resources like parental leave and childcare support would make a huge difference.
Any final words of advice for other mothers in the Tech Industry?
Embrace the power of flexibility, ask for help when needed, and trust in your ability to adapt and thrive. Don’t be afraid to set boundaries, prioritise self-care, and celebrate your achievements - however small they may feel.
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