As an executive coach with over 18 years of HR and people development experience, Beckie Taylor faced a number of challenges when returning to her career in HR tech after having her first child.
With no support system in place, she launched Women in Tech North – designed for women to openly discuss issues when returning to the workplace.
It later led to Taylor teaming up with James Heggs to launch Tech Returners in 2016, with the company specialising in training and placing of mid to senior level professionals looking to re-enter the workplace after a career break in the technology sector.
The team delivers programmes focused on software engineering, confidence, and digital leadership with a client roster that has included global brands such as AutoTrader, BBC and booking.com.
Earlier this year, Manchester-headquartered Northcoders acquired Tech Returners in a deal worth £1.5m with Taylor and fellow co-founder Heggs joining the Northcoders senior leadership team.
Here, Taylor shares all the lessons and valuable advice she’s learnt across her career…
Which single daily habit or practice could you not do without?
I must be honest… I do have the best intentions but running a business and having two children means that not everything always goes to plan. I’m really trying to focus on my own personal development and living in the present. I’ve been doing this by using the “six minute diary” which is a fantastic tool to help you feel grateful and focused on what is happening right now, rather than the past or future.
What’s been your luckiest break?
This question makes me laugh as anyone who knows me knows that nothing comes easy. I have always had to work hard for things so my motto is “never, never, never give up” for this precise reason.
What’s your best failure?
Before founding Tech Returners, I worked as the head of HR for a tech company. My goal was to share my knowledge and experience about the importance of diversity and inclusion in business. Unfortunately, despite my best efforts, there were certain mindsets that proved resistant to change. It was a tough lesson for me to accept that I couldn’t control everything.
However, this experience served as a turning point, motivating me to start Tech Returners. Although it meant leaving behind a promising career, I found solace in having a direct impact on people’s lives and helping them thrive in the tech industry. Through Tech Returners, I now have the opportunity to create positive change and make a lasting difference in the lives of many.
What is the best investment you’ve ever made, either financial or time?
Counselling… every two weeks. I recommend everyone to work on themselves in a safe environment. I started again following the loss of my dad in 2020 and since then I’ve invested time into my own mental development.
Which book would you recommend others to read and why?
I’ve read a lot of books and I’ve taken some really useful learnings from them so it would be hard just to pick one. So, here are a few: Atomic Habits, Why Women Rise, Manifesto, Reasons to Stay Alive, Traction, Let it Go, and all of Brene Brown’s work.
What one piece of advice would you give your 21-year-old self?
Don’t be bothered about what other people think. Not everyone is going to like you – it’s hard to hear and to understand – but I stopped myself doing so much because I was worried about what people thought.
Who or what has had the single biggest influence on your working life?
My mum and dad. My dad was my biggest cheerleader, but I didn’t thank him enough whilst he was around. My mum has supported me so much with my mindset and with my children and continues to do so. I want to be the best support for both my children going forward too.
Tell us something about you that would surprise people.
I lost 50% of my hearing when I was seven. I became ill on a family holiday and was prescribed the wrong medication by a fake doctor. I lost all my nerve endings in my ear, but I only realised that Christmas when I got a Walkman and said to my mum and dad that I didn’t need two earphones.
I recently watched an amazing documentary by Eastenders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis. It made me reflect on my own journey, especially when a young man named Harrison talked about the avoidance of busy bars and events because he couldn’t hear due to the loud noises. I remember having the same anxiety growing up about trying to make sure I was on the right side of people so I could hear the conversation; I still have this now. The purpose of the show was about choices, and it demonstrated this so well.
How will the COVID crisis change work for the better?
For us, it changed the perception of Returners for the better. Firms understood the value of a Returner and started to understand that people don’t lose skills during a career break, in fact they add to them.
What does success look like to you?
I used to be fixated on a goal or an outcome and I never focused on the journey and my own self development. I want to take opportunities and ensure that I embrace the process rather than just wanting to “get to x”. Also, making an impact – this has always been important to me and will continue to be so with the scaling of our ReframeWIT conference as well as being able to share my scaling and acquisition journey with others.
