Ann's career moves have really taken us places

15 years ago, I was working in pensions for my previous employer, and I’d reached the top. There was no further prospect of promotion. But I thought there would be scope for extending my career at the House of Commons.

I joined as Assistant Head of Pensions, and worked in the Pensions Unit for four and a half years. Then, I had a complete career change and joined the Diversity and Inclusion team, as a Senior Manager. After, I was promoted to Head of Business Management in Strategic Estates, where I worked for four years. Then I took partial retirement and started working half time.

Next, I moved to the Parliamentary Security Department in the same sort of role, on a job-share basis. But after two years, my job-share partner left on a career break. My role was restructured, and I became the People Manager in this department for a further year. Then, I returned to the Diversity and Inclusion team as the Senior Diversity and Inclusion Manager, where I’ve been for the past two and a half years.

Today, I take the lead on disability, and my focus is to help make Parliament more accessible for all who work here. I’ve recently completed an accredited course on Neurodiversity Workplace Needs Assessments, which has opened my eyes to the challenges faced by neurodivergent colleagues, and how they can be supported. 

In fact, during my time at the House of Commons, I’ve done a lot of training, including Milestones to Management (a postgraduate qualification). I’ve also attended various short courses on Getting Recruitment Right, Risk Management and IT, and bite-size sessions on learning about different disabilities, and data protection. 

One of my favourite moments was in 2011, when I helped found ParliABLE, the Workplace Equality Network (WEN) for disability. I’ve been on the committee for this group ever since, including a few years as co-chair.

I’ve really enjoyed all the events we’ve run. In the years since it was established, ParliABLE has become well-known and respected for what it does.

Ann’s career moves have really taken us places. Together, we make Parliament happen.