In this episode of Big Careers, Small Children, part of our brand-new Series 16, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Jess and Darryl Abelscroft about how they navigated shared parental leave and what they learned along the way.

Jessica Abelscroft, Director, Abelscroft Consulting, and Darryl Abelscroft, Future Safety and Innovation, Civil Aviation Authority, both former Leaders Plus Fellows, share their reflections on splitting leave, balancing careers, and parenting equally.

Together, they explore:

✔️ The practicalities of navigating HR systems and dividing time off

✔️ The emotional challenges of handing over leave and adjusting roles

✔️ The lasting benefits for their children, who see both parents as equal caregivers

✔️ Why shared parental leave strengthened their careers as well as their family life

✔️ The changes needed in policy to make shared leave more accessible

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Equity at home creates equity at work: Shared leave builds confidence and balance in both parenting and careers.
• Expect complexity: HR processes are not straightforward — early planning makes a big difference.
• The emotional side matters: Handing over leave can be tough, but it sets the stage for long-term equality.
• Children gain too: Equal involvement of both parents shapes healthier expectations of family roles.
• Policy reform is essential: Better pay and simpler systems would make shared leave viable for more families.

Show Notes:

• Connect with Jess Abelscroft on LinkedIn
• Connect with Darryl Abelscroft on LinkedIn
• Learn more about the Leaders Plus: Big Careers, Small Children podcast and explore additional resources at leadersplus.org.
• Follow Leaders Plus on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Bluesky.
• Connect with our CEO, Verena Hefti MBE on LinkedIn.
• Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus by signing up to our Newsletter.

Our multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowships support parents committed to career growth while enjoying family life. Expertly designed to keep parents on the leadership path, our programme tackles gender pay gap issues and empowers parents to thrive. Learn more here: Leaders Plus Fellowship.

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Episode 208: Nadia Bunyan MCIPD & Tatiana Pignon - How to Successfully Implement a 4-Day Week Without Sacrificing Impact

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