Mums in Tech feat. Sammy Kerrod

As part of MotherBoard’s ‘Mums in Tech’ series, they caught up with Sammy Kerrod, Account Director at Channel Edge Ltd. 

The purpose of the ‘MotherBoard’ content series is to highlight incredible working mums within tech & data, as well as individuals and businesses that are supportive and progressive within their approach to creating more inclusive tech & data teams for women.

Firstly, can you please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your current role?

My name is Sammy, and I am an Account Director at Channel Edge. In my current role, I oversee the strategic direction and management of key client accounts. This involves developing and maintaining strong relationships with clients, understanding their business needs, and ensuring that our services align with their goals. I also assist in leading a team of account handlers, guiding them to deliver exceptional service and achieve our clients’ objectives. My role requires a blend of strategic thinking, excellent communication skills, and a deep understanding of the market to drive growth and success for both our clients and our company.

If you could sum up what it’s like being a working mum in tech in one sentence, what would it be?

Organised chaos of the best kind – Being a working mum in tech is like navigating a thrilling, ever-changing adventure where you learn to juggle coding and cuddles, deadlines and dinner times, all while finding joy in the little victories both at work and at home.

How do you find a balance between your career and motherhood?

For me, this is an on-going thing, as my little boys grow their needs change. Flexibility is key, some days I may need to work a little longer and other days a family event will take precedence. I also have very clear and set boundaries within our home as well as at work. Having solid childcare (as we have no family here for childcare) is a huge help. Self-care is also really important. Even if its 5-10 minutes a day doing your skincare routine or having a longer shower.

What has been your greatest challenge as a working mother in tech?

Having a husband who is a professional rugby player can be hard. He is away every other weekend, and sometimes for a week at a time. So, from a full working week, its into full parenting mode alone with no breaks from “son up to son down” on a weekend. Which can be really challenging and feel relentless! Seeing families out together on weekends or bank holidays use to upset me, but now I use it as an opportunity to do things I want to do with the boys that he wouldn’t enjoy (Softplay 😉 )

What skills have you developed as a mother that have helped your work life?

Shew, these are endless! But balancing my professional responsibilities with being a mum has taught me invaluable skills in time management, multitasking, empathy and crisis management. These skills are crucial in my role, where I tend to juggle multiple projects, and client needs while ensuring the team feels supported and motivated. Being a mum has also given me a unique perspective on problem-solving and resilience, and fabulous negotiation skills.

When you were returning to work, what one thing helped you / would have helped you the most?

Both times returning to work were difficult in all honesty. The support wasn’t really there, in their defence they hadn’t had people within the team return back from mat leave and I think there was a bit of inexperience around it. What would have helped – is someone checking in when I returned. Just a simple “How are you doing? No, but REALLY, how are you doing?” I am lucky that I have an incredibly supportive husband and friends who were going through similar returning to work struggles that I could turn to and vent to. Since moving to Channel Edge I’ve had the opportunity to shape business culture, particularly when it comes to parents returning to work.

What do you feel should be the top priority for employers who want to support working mothers better?

Stay in contact with the mums throughout their maternity leave. Invite them to socials, even if you know they may not be able to make it. The thought goes a long way and makes them feel included, part of the team and that someone is still thinking of them. Don’t do the bare minimum of HR, go beyond that. Create a buddy system while they are on mat leave, if they are struggling with breastfeeding, birth trauma etc, have the resources to be able to sign post them to help and info. There is so much help out there but in those early postpartum weeks its hard to sift through it all being sleep deprived and pooped on. Staying close to them during mat leave will make the world of difference.

Any final words of advice for other mothers in the Tech Industry?

You have had a huge change in your life, another life you are now fully responsible for. Don’t be sorry if your child is ill, or if a call is running over and you need to leave for pick up, you don’t need to apologise. One thing I have seen a lot is a feeling that “I cant be ambitious”, Playing themselves down, don’t! Go for it, you have just spent a good few months learning some skills that are irreplaceable, but in the same breath, be kind to yourself when you first come back. Mum brain is a real thing, give yourself grace and take it at your own pace. When it comes to self-care, do what makes you happy. Don’t let society dictate what self-care looks like. A child-free weekend at a spa sounds amazing but is often hard when it comes to the logistics. Do whatever you feel is sel-care.

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