"THG was the first place I experienced being a working mum. From day one, I’ve felt trusted—by my managers and by the company—which has made all the difference." 

Laëtitia first joined our Beauty Division as Brand Manager for Mamma Mio shortly after returning from maternity leave with her first daughter. In her two years at THG, she progressed to Head of Brand & Product for Bodycare and Cosmetics. She reflects on how motherhood has shaped her career, the lessons she’s carried between work and family life, and the importance of having a strong support network for working parents. 

How has your journey as a working mother at THG shaped your career and personal growth? 

Honestly, I’d say it’s the other way around—being a mother has shaped my career at THG just as much as my career has shaped me as a mother. 

THG was the first place I experienced being a working mum, and it’s been a huge part of my journey. I’ve found the flexibility here to be incredibly valuable, especially when I compare my experience to friends or colleagues in other workplaces. From day one, I’ve felt trusted—by my managers and by the company—which has made all the difference. 

Anyone with young children knows that life can be unpredictable. You’ll drop your child off at nursery at 7:30 AM, get to the office by 8:00 AM, and then—half an hour later—you get the dreaded call: ‘They’re looking a bit poorly; you need to pick them up.’ And suddenly, your whole day changes. 

There have been times when I’ve just arrived at work, only to turn right back around to collect my child. I’d be apologising profusely, and my manager would say, ‘you don’t need to apologise- your child comes first. Everything else can wait.’ That level of support and understanding is something I’ll always appreciate. 

Knowing that I can leave when I need to for nursery pick-up without feeling guilty, or that I can structure my day to suit both my work and my family, has been freeing. No one is constantly checking up on me—I’m trusted to get my work done, meet my deadlines, and manage my time. And because of that, I feel empowered to be the best I can be, both at work and at home. 

Another thing I love about working at THG is the number of women around me. We have a high ratio of women to men, and it makes such a difference. It means a lot of people here are mums, pregnant, or thinking about having children, so there’s a natural support network. I’m part of the Parents Network Committee, but even outside of that, I’m surrounded by colleagues, managers, and even CEOs who have children. 

And that’s incredibly inspiring. Seeing a woman CEO who has children—sometimes even newborns—and still making it work is not something I’ve witnessed much in previous workplaces. Just having those role models to look up to, to see that it is possible, makes you think- if they can do it, I can do it too. It’s a powerful thing to be surrounded by examples of women balancing career and motherhood—it reminds you that you’re not alone and that success in both is absolutely achievable. 

What’s one lesson from motherhood that has made you a stronger professional, and vice versa? 

One of the biggest lessons I’ve taken from motherhood into my professional life is time management. 

I’ve always been someone who meets deadlines, but I’ll admit—I used to thrive on the last-minute rush. Whether the deadline was tomorrow or six months away, I’d often find myself working in the final 20% of the allocated time. But having a child? That changed everything. 

Motherhood has humbled and schooled me—especially when it comes to something as simple as mealtimes. My daughter was like a clock. She needed to eat every three hours, and if I was even two minutes late, she would let me know in no uncertain terms. That routine forced me to completely rethink how I structure my time. 

Now, I timetable everything. I can get completely absorbed in my work—especially when I’m in a creative flow—so I’ve learned to set Outlook reminders to physically interrupt me. Whether it’s a looming deadline, an upcoming meeting, or even just a reminder to take a break, these small time management habits have made a huge difference. 

Ultimately, motherhood has made me more structured, more proactive, and much better at balancing priorities—skills that have only strengthened my professional life. 

How has the THG Parents Network supported you in balancing work and family life? And why did you join? 

I feel very fortunate to have joined THG when I did. I had just become a mum, and in my role as a Brand Manager for Mama Mio, I was surrounded by conversations about pregnancy, motherhood, and the challenges of returning to work. I saw firsthand how difficult that transition can be for many women. 

For me, the move to THG was smooth—I had the excitement of a new role, familiarity with my manager, and a supportive team. But I knew that wasn’t the reality for everyone, and I wanted to help. I understood the struggles—the sleepless nights, the mealtime battles, the exhaustion—but I also knew I was in a good place. That’s what led me to the Parents Network. 

Being part of the network has been incredibly rewarding. We’ve hosted events, connected with new parents, and fostered conversations that often go unspoken. Parenthood isn’t always picture-perfect, and having a space where people can be open about the tough moments—whether it’s struggling through pregnancy or feeling overwhelmed after returning to work—helps normalise those experiences. 

For me, it’s about support, honesty, and community—because sometimes, just knowing you’re not alone makes all the difference.