NAWIC and Women Returners invite you to a networking lunch and panel session to discuss various issues concerning returning to work in our sector. The panel will discuss the challenges and opportunities of returning to work after extended career breaks, sabbaticals and maternity leave and how the sector can support and facilitate returners.

This event will be relevant to all those in the industry considering either maternity leave, an extended career break or a sabbatical (whether for travel or study) or returning to work from them, along with those who work in human resources in the sector.

12.00 Arrival, Registration & Lunch

1.00 Panel Discussion

2.00 Closing

The panel will be chaired by Theresa Mohammed, National Chair for NAWIC UK & Ireland and Partner at Trowers & Hamlins LLP.

The panel members will include:

Julianne Miles, Co-founder and MD of Women Returners (http://womenreturners.com/). Women Returners is a consultancy, coaching and network organisation that focuses exclusively on enabling talented professionals to return to work after an extended career break. Since 2014, Julianne has worked together with forward-thinking organisations, such as Skanska and Balfour Beatty, to pioneer the development of returnships and the returner programme market in the UK.

Israil Bryan, Diversity and Social Programme Manager at Skanska Plc. Skanska has in place a 12-week return to work programme aimed at experienced professional men and women, who have taken career breaks of two years or more. Israil says, "We understand the need for flexible working and are happy to consider candidates on a full or part-time basis. This programme enables Skanska to reach out to a wider pool of talent that we had previously been missing out on. There are lots of skilled people who have had to take a career break for a number of reasons. We need to look at these people with an open mind and focus on what they have as opposed to what they don’t have so we can bring their much needed skills to our industry."

Krista Lee, Barrister at Keating Chambers. Krista specialises in engineering, construction, and energy disputes, as well as having a wider commercial practice covering insurance, corporate insolvency and partnership disputes. She has a BSc in engineering and also accepts arbitrator appointments in addition to her work as counsel. Krista will be joining the panel to discuss her personal experience of returning from maternity leave.

This event is kindly being hosted by Keating Chambers (http://www.keatingchambers.com). Keating Chambers is a leading set of commercial barristers’ chambers, with a thriving domestic and international practice. Its 59 barristers (including 27 Queen’s Counsel) specialise in construction and engineering disputes. They regularly appear in various divisions of UK courts (especially the Technology & Construction Court and the Commercial Court) and are also frequently appointed in UK and international arbitrations and mediations.

***Please note pre-booking is essential and tickets are limited***