Welcoming Women Back: Overcoming return-to-work challenges

When

5 March 2025    
10:00 - 12:00
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Where

BEAM Social Enterprise Centre
Invista House, Maydown Works, Derry, Londonderry, BT476 TH

Event Type

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This International Women’s Day, responsible business network Business in the Community (BITC) and Londonderry Chamber will bring together HR managers, line managers, and women who have recently returned to or are planning on returning to work, to explore and discuss the challenges many women face when returning to the workplace.

This may be due to returning from maternity leave, following carers’ leave, or after a period of illness.

Background
Long term absence can have an effect on confidence, energy levels, and even ambitions. During this event, we’ll be looking at the ways in which businesses can support women during this transition period and how they can increase their retention rates of this cohort of a talented workforce.

Agenda

  • Refreshments & networking
  • Welcome
  • Key note speaker
  • Panel discussion
  • Closing remarks

Speakers to be announced.

SPEAKERS/PANEL

  • Aoife Warren | Partner, EY
    • Bio to follow
  • Blathnaid McCole | Chief Talent and Culture Officer at Hunter Apparel – currently undertaking Mini MBA Women’s Returners Programme at Ulster University
    • Bio to follow
  • Kathleen McDermott | Executive Director, Fintru
    • Bio to follow
  • Lorraine Acheson | Managing Director, Women in Business
    • Lorraine Acheson is the Managing Director of Women in Business Northern Ireland, the leading network for women in the workplace. With a passion for fostering inclusive growth, Lorraine leads initiatives that support women at all career stages—helping them start and scale businesses, advance in leadership and navigate key life transitions. Under her leadership, Women in Business NI has grown to over 10,000 members, expanding its impact to deliver meaningful change for women and the wider economy. Lorraine’s 25 year career spans management roles in the UK and Australia, with experience across the public, private and not for profit sectors. She originally hails from Lancashire and has lived in Belfast since 2010 with her husband and four children.

This event will take place 10:00 am – 12:00 pm at BEAM Social Enterprise Centre, Maydown Works, Derry/Londonderry. Free parking is available and refreshments will be provided.

Members and non-members of BITC and Londonderry Chamber are welcome to attend. .

PLEASE REGISTER HERE