(C-Suite Series) Jane Hollinshead - How to Navigate a Squiggly Career and Find Success on Your Own Terms

In this episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Jane Hollinshead, Chief People Officer at Canary Wharf Group, about her squiggly career journey and how she navigated career changes, flexible working, and leadership progression while raising a family.Jane shares her experience of being one of the first part-time lawyers in the 1990s, how she approached career transitions with confidence, and why she believes more professionals should embrace career phases rather than a rigid career ladder.Together, they explore:✔️ How Jane successfully navigated a non-linear career path to reach the C-suite.✔️ Practical tips for requesting flexible working in a way that benefits both employees and employers.✔️ Why career off-ramps and on-ramps are natural and necessary for long-term success.✔️ How to develop the resilience and confidence to take career risks.✔️ The importance of networking, self-reflection, and external perspectives when considering a career shift.Whether you’re thinking about a career change, aiming for senior leadership, or simply seeking reassurance that your career doesn’t have to be a straight line, this episode is full of practical wisdom and inspiration.In This Episode You Will Learn:Why a squiggly career can be a strategic advantage.How to confidently ask for flexible working—and avoid common mistakes.The mindset shift needed to re-enter the workforce or pivot sectors.How career progression is possible at any stage of life, not just in your 30s or 40s.How to future-proof your career by continuously building new skills and experiences.Show Notes: Learn more about Canary Wharf Group : https://group.canarywharf.com/Follow Canary Wharf Group on social media: LinkedIn | InstagramConnect with Jane Hollinshead: LinkedInLearn more about the Leaders Plus: Big Careers, Small Children podcast and explore additional resources at leadersplus.org.Follow Leaders Plus on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Bluesky.Connect with our CEO, Verena Hefti MBE on LinkedIn.Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus by signing up to our Newsletter.Our multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowships support parents committed to career growth while enjoying family life. Expertly designed to keep parents on the leadership path, our programme tackles gender pay gap issues and empowers parents to thrive. Learn more here: Leaders Plus Fellowship.More BCSC episodes you might love:

Om Podcasten

Big Careers Small Children helps ambitious parents progress careers they love whilst being present with their children. Through honest and informal conversation, senior leaders divulge what they have learnt on their own journey of combining big careers with young children to our host Verena Hefti MBE. Expect lots of aha moments, inspiration, fresh ideas, and practical support, so you can move forward in your career in a way that works for you and your family.This podcast is hosted by our social enterprise Leaders Plus. We believe that no parent should have to choose between progressing the career they love and enjoying their young children. Through the Big Careers, Small Children podcast and our award-winning Fellowship Programme, we have supported thousands of Leaders with young children to make brave decisions about their future. We unapologetically help more mums (and dads with significant caring responsibilities) to get to senior leadership positions, because only by helping parents to progress their career can we have true gender equality at the top and address the gender pay gap.Be part of our positive movement for change and sign up to receive our informative monthly emails at www.leadersplus.org.uk/newsletterWe hope you enjoy listening to our podcast and invite you to follow us on social media @leaders_plus #BigCareersSmallChildren