Emma’s story is one of remarkable resilience. Returning to work after maternity leave marked a major milestone in her life and career, one that came after navigating some of the toughest challenges imaginable. A cancer survivor and mother of five, Emma has shown extraordinary strength in balancing recovery, motherhood, and leadership.
When she came back to work in March 2023, her youngest daughter was just four months old. Emma felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. But from the moment she returned, she was surrounded by support, greeted with flowers, balloons, and kind gestures from her team, who made her feel valued and missed. That welcome set the tone for a gentle, confident return to leadership.
Her colleagues and Regional Director gave her space to adjust at her own pace. They checked in regularly, offered reassurance, and understood the realities of returning to work as a new mother. Even when Emma was still expressing milk for her baby during the workday, her team’s empathy and flexibility made the process seamless. Rather than pressure, she felt encouragement, a testament to the nurturing environment she had helped create as a leader.
Emma credits Hamptons for giving her the flexibility and understanding to maintain a healthy balance between home and work. She has always felt empowered to be present for her children’s milestones, from school sports days to assemblies, without feeling it compromises her professional success. As a mother to a son with cerebral palsy, she has also received unwavering support through hospital appointments and operations, with colleagues always ready to step in and cover when needed.
Her return journey also inspired her to help others. Emma co-created the Parental Mentor Programme at Hamptons, designed to support colleagues before, during, and after parental leave, and she now co-sponsors the Working Parents Affinity Group, a community that celebrates wins, shares challenges, and promotes balance across the business.
Although her maternity return was a defining chapter, it is only part of Emma’s wider story of perseverance. Having battled cancer in 2021 and welcomed a premature baby soon after, she still led her branch to record success - 19 percent above target and the highest overperformance in the region. That resilience, paired with compassion and authenticity, continues to make her one of Hamptons’ most respected leaders.
Emma’s journey reflects courage, openness, and the importance of community at work. From overcoming personal battles to building others up through theirs, she exemplifies what it means to lead with heart, and to return stronger than ever.