Mums in Tech ft. Lydia Livingston

As part of MotherBoard’s ‘Mums in Tech’ series, they caught up with Lydia Livingston, Experience Design Principal at AND Digital.

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 current role is as Experience Principal at AND Digital, I lead our Bristol-based Design Practice and serve as a key member of the Bristol Senior Leadership Team. I often talk about how my role has me wearing many different hats. From working with clients, leading design, supporting my teams, responding to RFPs, improving ways of working and working hard to refine how design is perceived in AND Digital as it has such a strong technology heritage.

I have 24+ years of expertise in design, working in the technology sector since 2012 when I joined Valtech and became Creative Director. I lead the creation of innovative, user-centered experiences for globally recognised brands across the public and private sectors. I’m also a Mum of two boys, now 9 and 11.

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

Exciting and fun to be creating cutting edge things that everyone uses, has also been challenging as it can be hard going especially when I have been the odd one out.

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

I’m lucky my employer is supportive of work and life balance so I can work flexibly. The trust in me to deliver regardless, is worth more than anything. The rhetoric see about the negativity of flexible working and about being forced into the office 9-5 concern me greatly. I can see why many Mums drop out of mainstream work. If I didn’t have balance I would likely do the same, you only have your child’s childhood once.

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

Being taken seriously and professionally acknowledged in a way that does not seem to happen to Fathers. Although my employers have been supportive, when it comes to the bigger opportunities it has felt hard to break into those spaces. In addition, dealing with clients who actively work against me when balancing family and work needs.

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

A huge amount of patience, empathy and perspective. When things get tough at work these skills help me to stay grounded and calm, which enables me to better problem solve and support others.

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

Another mother or mentor to guide me. I worked in a very male dominated environment and they were all lovely but I did feel like I stuck out, had to prove myself more. Those early days are such an adjustment, having an ally who understood would have helped.

● Supportive of part time work. My employer when I returned from maternity was brilliant for this. They allowed me to have the balance I needed and then build up my days when I was ready.

● Focused career path that is supports ambition in a balanced way.

● Proper maternity and paternity leave pay. Enable Fathers to support their partners more and bond with their baby. Enable Mums to be able to afford to take the time they need off and not feel they have to come back early because they cannot afford a sudden drop in pay.

● Flexible working hours and ability to work at home.

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

Keep at it. The more us there are and the louder we are the better for creating change. Find your allies and know that you are good.

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