It is one of the most important jobs in Britain: keeping ordinary people safe from potential terrorists.
The head of counter-terrorism at GCHQ – the UK’s security and intelligence agency – works in the shadows to stop dangerous criminals in their tracks.
But for the past year, the job has been performed by two working mothers, who this week featured in a list of the most successful people in the UK who are working part-time.
Vicky and Emily, who cannot reveal their real identities, share their role, which involves supporting military operations and helping the Government to reduce the terrorism threat to the UK.
The pair, who work 28 hours a week each, agreed their working pattern when one helped look after the other’s child during an assessment day for the role.
Speaking over email to The Guardian, the pair explained that they both work 3.5 days a week, crossing over on one day.
Vicky said: ‘What we love about it is the partnership we have.
‘On a daily basis we are facing new and complex issues. Having a rock-solid support network makes it easier, far more enjoyable and ultimately pays dividends to GCHQ’s biggest intelligence mission.’
Other professionals on the part-time ‘Power List’ of 25 revealed by flexible-working specialists Timewise include a member of Lloyd’s Banking Group’s ‘Inclusion & Diversity team’, who has worked two days a week since 2019 so she can pursue being a professional triathlete.
Another successful part-timer is Dr Jane Edwards, who was instrumental in developing the UK’s coronavirus vaccines. She works four days a week at the Pirbright Institute, which studies infectious diseases.
The head of counter-terrorism at GCHQ – the UK’s security and intelligence agency – works in the shadows to stop dangerous criminals in their tracks. But for the past year, the job has been performed by two working mothers, who this week topped a list of the most successful people in the UK who are working part-time. Above: Vicky and Emily, whose real identities are hidden
Vicky and Emily, both of whom have young children, are the first women to jointly lead GCHQ’s counter-terrorism mission.
The pair share both classified and unclassified email inboxes and people do not know which of them is responding.
They said they enjoy a ‘partnership’ and are ‘so committed’ to each other, both ‘professionally and personally’.
The pair met more than a decade ago whilst working in the United States. Vicky said their ‘superpower’ is the fact that their output is effectively ‘doubled’ because they both have ‘so much energy’.
A poll commissioned for Timewise to mark ten years of its power list found that half of the British public ‘do not believe it is possible to have a part-time career’.
However, this figure is down from three-quarters in 2012. Nearly half of respondents (48 per cent) in the latest survey said they would ‘not give a part-time colleague an important or business critical task’.
Another successful part-timer is Dr Jane Edwards (left), who was instrumental in developing the UK’s coronavirus vaccines. Lloyds Banking Group’s Ruth Astle (right) features on the list because, since 2019, she has combined working two days a week for her firm whilst being a professional triathlete
Lloyds Banking Group’s Ruth Astle features on the list because, since 2019, she has combined working two days a week for her firm whilst being a professional triathlete.
In her role in finance, she has worked to increase ‘diversity and inclusion’ through initiatives such as a sponsorship programme for junior employees.
Timewise say Ms Astle’s part-time hours have allowed her to win two gruelling Ironman races in 2021 and she is currently ranked 30th in the world.
An Ironman Triathlon sees athletes compete to complete a 2.4-mile swim, an 112-mile bicycle race and a full-length marathon of 26.2 miles in a single day. It is considered to be one of the most difficult physical sporting events in the world.
Dr Edwards is named by Timewise as having been ‘instrumental’ in helping to develop the UK’s coronavirus vaccines.
Before the pandemic began in 2020, she worked on improving vaccines against a major disease affecting pig farming, known as Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome.
Another professional on the list is Michelle Matherson, who works three days a week for the BBC. Timewise say the aim of her role is to ensure that at least 20 per cent of ‘all production teams are inclusive when it comes to representing disability, ethnicity and social class’
The immunologist then pivoted to research immune responses to the coronavirus vaccines that were under development in 2020.
In December 2020, the then 90-year-old grandmother Margaret Keenan became the first women in the world to receive Pfizer’s jab after it had gained clinical approval.
The results from one of Dr Edwards’ studies helped to inform the decision to use two doses of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine, as opposed to just one.
Dr Edwards negotiated her part-time role so she could spend more time with her son.
Another professional on the list is Michelle Matherson, who works three days a week for the BBC.
Timewise say the aim of her role is to ensure that at least 20 per cent of ‘all production teams are inclusive when it comes to representing disability, ethnicity and social class’.
She also helps with ‘increasing opportunities for diverse talent on and off screen’.
In her spare time, she teaches script-writing. Speaking of her working arrangement, she said: ‘I get to rest and feel more energised to do things that suit me. The best of both worlds!’
The 2022 ‘Power List’ of the top part-time professionals
For the tenth year running, flexible-working specialists Timewise have announced the 25 professionals who feature on their ‘Power List’.
The list, which includes four job shares, is not ranked.
‘Vicky’ and ‘Emily’, Deputy Directors of Counter Terrorism at GCHQ; work 3.5 days a week each
Ruth Astle, senior manager, group transformation, inclusion and diversity specialist, Lloyds Banking Group; works two days a week
Michelle Matherson, creative diversity partner, BBC; works three days a week
Samantha Fletcher and Clair Droeden, purchasing director at Ford; each work 80 per cent of their contract
Samantha Fletcher and Clair Droeden, purchasing director at Ford; each work 80 per cent of their contract
Carolyn Bartlett and Kirsty Wildgoose, chief strategy and transformation officer, Valuation Office Agency (part of HMRC); work three days a week each
Carolyn Bartlett and Kirsty Wildgoose, chief strategy and transformation officer, Valuation Office Agency (part of HMRC); work three days a week each
Sara Wajid and Zak Mensah, co-CEO of Birmingham Museums Trust; work three days a week each
Sara Wajid and Zak Mensah, co-CEO of Birmingham Museums Trust; work three days a week each
Nicola Hancock, strategy and planning manager at Shell International; works four days a week
Nicola Hancock, strategy and planning manager at Shell International; works four days a week
Hazel Macnamara, partner and business unit leader at PricewaterhouseCoopers; works four days a week
Hazel Macnamara, partner and business unit leader at PricewaterhouseCoopers; works four days a week
Emma Wood, global brand director at Publicis Groupe; works four days a week
Emma Wood, global brand director at Publicis Groupe; works four days a week
Babita Devi, innocation director at Oxford Innovation; works two days a week
Babita Devi, innocation director at Oxford Innovation
Rupal Kantaria, partner at Oliver Wyman; works 3.5 days a week
Rupal Kantaria, partner at Oliver Wyman; works 3.5 days a week
Jo Ashdown, managing partner and head of partnerships, Mando-Connect; works 80 per cent contract
Jo Ashdown, managing partner and head of partnerships, Mando-Connect; works 80 per cent of contract
Jodie Gillary, head of client impact, brand and insights, UK Kantar; works three days a week
Jodie Gillary, head of client impact, brand and insights, UK Kantar; works three days a week
Nigel Thorp, preconstruction manager at John Sisk and Son Ltd; works 40 per cent contract
Nigel Thorp, preconstruction manager at John Sisk and Son Ltd; works 40 per cent contract
Bob Booth, finance and supply chain transformation lead, IBM; works four days a week
Bob Booth, finance and supply chain transformation lead, IBM; works four days a week
Tessa Hollingworth, managing director of the North West region, Hays Recruitment; works four days a week
Tessa Hollingworth, managing director of the North West region, Hays Recruitment; works four days a week
James Ashall, Diageo in society transformation director; works four days a week
James Ashall, Diageo in society transformation director; works four days a week
Rachel Garrett, managing director at CMG Technologies; works four days a week
Rachel Garrett, managing director at CMG Technologies; works four days a week
Jacqueline Mulryne, partner, Arnold & Porter; works four days a week
Jacqueline Mulryne, partner, Arnold & Porter; works four days a week
Kelly Keating, programme manager; J.P. Morganl works 55 per cent contract
Kelly Keating, programme manager; J.P. Morganl works 55 per cent contract
Dr Kerrie Thackray, higher clinical fellow, Addenbrooke’s Hospital; works 60 per cent contract
Dr Kerrie Thackray, higher clinical fellow, Addenbrooke’s Hospital; works 60 per cent contract
Alex Kihurani, senior manager, EY; works 60 per cent contract
Alex Kihurani, senior manager, EY; works 60 per cent contract
Alan Grady, programme editor, 5 News ITN; works four days a week
Alan Grady, programme editor, 5 News ITN; works four days a week
Aekta Patel, global head of venture capital unit, Department for International Trade; works three days a week
Aekta Patel, global head of venture capital unit, Department for International Trade; works three days a week
<!—->
Advertisement
