Brooke has a 5-year-old daughter called River and is currently pregnant with a boy due in July which she’s chuffed about as one miniature version of herself is enough – her mum used to say to her “it’ll all come back to bite you” when she was a nightmare teen – this really did become her reality. Brooke also has a mildly overweight, arthritic, 9-year-old Spaniel called Bow who she “awkwardly” shares with her ex-husband. Brooke feels she should also mention her partner… his name is Jordan.

Brooke has 9.5 years’ experience in HR and started her career as an apprentice in the NHS focusing on Employee Relations (disciplinaries, sickness management). Brooke has worked in both the public and private sectors with the majority of her career so far being within the professional services sector (legal/financial).

“I’m passionate about my daughter growing up in an environment where she is given the same opportunities as everyone else and is supported to do so. Being a young female (and mother) and obtaining a successful career has been extremely rewarding for me but it has been a very difficult journey. I’ve first-hand experienced discrimination and have also been in the room in a HR capacity when business leaders have purposefully discriminated against those with similar circumstances to my own. I’ve also been subject to those of my own gender not accepting my choices because I wanted both a career and to be a parent. I hope that if my daughter followed a similar path to me, she wouldn’t have to handle and manage such situations that even now, I still struggle with.”

As I am in a leadership position it is my duty (and pleasure) to speak up and not accept discriminatory business decisions. I hope to educate and promote equality within the workplace and feel it is important for all genders to speak up on matters and not accept archaic approaches to females within the workplace.

I moved to Tunbridge Wells from Dalston (East London) twelve years ago with my husband, Rik (who is a Professor of Bioinformatics at KCL and UCL). I have three children - two boys and a girl sandwiched in the middle. I'm not keen on baking, cleaning or sharing my food, but I LOVE reading, animals, pottering and positivity :)

I started my career in agencies and my first client was McDonald's - for which I did work experience flipping the burgers and salting the fries. A few more clients later (BP, Lloyds, Tesco) I was poached by Disney to market their consumer products in the UK and EMEA. I helped launch Disney Princess (my girl was gutted when I left - no more fairy dresses!), Pirates of the Carribean (the long, transatlantic debate over Johnny Depp's accent was real!) and my training included being bombarded by tiny, young Disney fans in the chipmunk character suit at Disneyland Resort, Paris :)

I took an extended career break after my third child and my return to work was for us, here at Total Control.

I'm incredibly passionate about reading and languages and believe that this has helped shape my character over the years. The significance of reading for me personally, is the enhanced empathy and connection it brings.

I also vehemently believe that there is power in vulnerability. Yes, people should stand up for themselves and speak out (everyone, not just women). "Speak up. Don't shrink. Don't puff up. Stand you sacred ground." A nugget of a mantra that helps me remember not to get too small so other people are comfortable and not throw up my armour as a way to protect myself.

By celebrating and embracing women's achievements, strengths and vulnerabilities. IWD serves to amplify women's voices and to instil solidarity and courage :)

Underneath all my cockiness and showing off I am actually painfully shy.

I have worked in accounts for about 15 years, in various roles in both public sector and industry, and supported myself through much of my ACCA qualification.

I believe in taking good care of our own and others' mental health. We all have our own stories and struggles but a little bit of support, encouragement and a listening ear can help us all, whatever gender, and I am very aware of and keen to tackle the unique pressures that men are under too.

I have always rebelled against being a stereotype and a ‘lady’. I embraced the ‘ladette’ culture, I keep my (extremely rare) tears to myself, I am fiercely independent, tough and ambitious, I swear a lot and drive too fast! I gladly and passionately take on anyone who says I should not do those things! That’s me, my choices and my story, but I have now realised that what’s important is having the freedom to choose your own path, whatever your gender or background, and I intend to be more understanding and supportive of ALL women, whatever choices they make, and to also recognise, respect and celebrate some of the more traditionally feminine qualities.

Kate lives in Crowborough with her partner Simon and daughter Jessica who is 10. Jessica was born with a rare epilepsy syndrome called Glut1 Deficiency Syndrome and attends a special school. She is a very happy girl but can be challenging to look after. Kate hasn’t had a good sleep since 2011…!

Kate has been working in credit control for over 17 years, starting at Cripps solicitors in Tunbridge Wells before moving to a large London law firm and then on to a Rights of Light surveying practice in Waterloo. The commute (and after work drinks!) became a bit too much after Jessica arrived so she decided to look for a more local job and she has now been with Total Control for over 5 years. 

Kate is an avid reader and is a member of several book groups. She loves playing Pokemon Go and is the admin of a group in Crowborough. She tries to go for a walk every day to keep fit!

Too many women feel guilty leaving their child when they’re at work, and worried about getting their work done when they’re at home. Kate would like to see a future with more flexible working practices – the ‘struggle with the juggle’ is real!

My husband and I wake up far too early every day as my little boy Teddy Rex thinks that it is extremely important to practise his shuffle dancing in preparation for a possible audition for SING 3! Our cat Bertie is not too impressed either!  

I used to work in London but my husband and I had a baby in 2015. Since then I worked locally in order to be close to Teddy as my husband still works in London and does shifts too. I have been working here for nearly 5 years now! 

Understanding myself and others around me. I am fascinated about human behaviour and I hope one day to be a better version of myself as a result. I love all animals and if I could, I would save all the endangered ones. I find peace and clarity when I am surrounded by family, friends and mountains. I can’t bake at all and it’s my challenge to make my son’s cake for his 18th birthday party (he is 6 now). 

I was born in a little town in the Romanian mountains. I left home when I was 18. On my journey I have been fortunate enough to meet and be surrounded by some incredible strong independent women. I have learned and still am learning from them every day that it’s up to us to grow, adapt and change the world. Small steps every day to create an equal world full of opportunities and magic. 

I come from a large and varied family full of strong female role models from mother figures, to aunts, to sisters and friends. I am both the older sister and the younger and I love to play both roles. My older sister is one of my role models and raises me up and guides me through all aspects of life!  I am also the very proud honorary auntie to my best friend’s daughter, Talia.

I have worked in customer service for over 8 years since leaving university, in a variety of roles from selling whisky and spirits, to working for the Ministry of Justice. I have now been with Total Control for 3 years and have found my niche role.

I am passionate about creating a world in which my niece and my younger sisters, and hopefully one day my own children, can grow up without discrimination and will be respected for who they are as a person rather than what they are. I am also passionate about raising awareness for mental health for all, it is a subject that is no longer as taboo as it once was but still needs help to be more widely accepted and understood.

By continuing to speak up as a female voice and pointing out any injustices or inequalities. We should live in a world where there is no divide and everyone is treated the same in all aspects of life.

My husband, son and I moved to the UK 19 years ago and while I took a few years off to raise my son and Co-Chair PTA for his school.  I also have a daughter in the States as well as 2 granddaughters. 

I have over 35 years’ experience in finance both here in the UK and in the USA, I mainly worked in the Marketing/Advertising sector.

That my granddaughters do not have to struggle with some of the discrimination that I have had to endure in previous years and given the same equality.

To promote a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.