06/03/2026
International Women’s Day is celebrated annually on 8 March to pay homage to the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, while also serving as an important opportunity for us all to refocus our efforts on gender equality and the empowerment of women in society. Below, Matilda, Nat, Ally and Georgina share personal reflections and insights into their experiences.
Matilda Osei, IP Support Specialist (Renewals)
Firstly, I must express my gratitude – I’ve grown up in a time where so many doors have been opened for me by the efforts of the women who came before me. It’s because they dared, they resisted, and they built. Without them, I wouldn’t have the freedom to explore my potential as I am able to today.
When I started working at Reddie & Grose over four years ago, from day one the firm invested in me and my potential – my value was recognised and nurtured. I was given the necessary support, training, and guidance to overcome barriers and grow, expanding both my responsibilities and knowledge. I’ve also focused on developing my expertise and exploring further opportunities alongside my role as a Renewals Intellectual Property Specialist, such as becoming a member of the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee and a Values Ambassador. Both roles have empowered me to act with integrity and be vocal, recognising the value everyone brings in supporting the firm’s continued efforts towards positive action, a positive workplace culture, and breaking systemic barriers to equality in the workplace.
A quote which resonates with me is: “The biggest barrier to women is the thought that they can’t have it all.” For so many women, growth was once restricted by tangible walls – laws, expectations, lack of access, and lack of rights. Women before us fought battles that were concrete and undeniable. Today, many of us have more opportunities, more visibility, and a stronger voice than ever before, but the battle is not over. Our thoughts should not quietly limit us in ways the world no longer does. ‘Having it all’ is not about perfection, balance, or checking every box – it simply means permitting ourselves to pursue the things that matter e.g. career, family, personal growth, creativity, rest, and joy – on our own terms.
The women before us dismantled physical barriers, and the work we continue to do now is dismantling mental ones. For example, asking for support without guilt – support isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of strength that allows us to build, grow, and tap into the collective wisdom around us. When we let go of mental barriers like this, we create a space for deeper collaboration and enjoy the freedom to pursue our full potential.
Progress has always been powered by collective effort. The more we invest in each other -our time, advocacy, mentorship, and willingness to provide support, the more we excel as a collective. Supporting women’s rights starts with what we are willing to give.
Nat Ettridge, Team Co-ordinator (B-Sec)
I started at R&G back in August 2014 as a junior Level 3 Secretary. 20 year old me, files in arms, climbing multiple flights of stairs, hunting for missing post and typing until my fingers fell off. Roll on nearly 12 years later – and I’m still here! I’ve worked incredibly hard over the years and eventually made my way up to be a Team Co-ordinator. Of course, it’s had its challenges, most I enjoy – but when you add two children into the mix, it ALL changes – for the better of course!
Coming back was a shock to the system, however the support around me has slowly but surely eased me back in. Whether it be training on new systems, or being let loose back into my workload, I’ve had someone on hand to answer my questions or provide help as and when needed. As well as this, a transition plan was put in place to create a smooth and effective reintroduction to my role – this alone had a huge impact in relieving the emotional and mental toll of coming back to work – it made everything so much easier. The thing I’ve found most challenging in having a senior role as a working mum is not only managing a team at work; it’s also managing my little team of little people, at home. The constant thoughts popping into my head of ‘do the kids have enough snacks at home for the week’ or ‘I need to apply for their new school’ and then smack bang in between all of that is a ‘oh gosh, did I send that reminder to the partner?!’ – My brain doesn’t stop. But would I have it any other way? Absolutely not.
Ally Orrin, Senior Associate (EMCP)
Returning to paid work after maternity leave is incredibly difficult for a lot of reasons. Recent media attention has focused on the negatives, on the impossible juggle and challenges that new parents – and often mothers – face. While it is important to recognise this in an attempt to improve things, I think it’s also important to acknowledge the positives and appreciate things that can help.
One policy that that helped me in the early days was having adjusted hours, so that I could start and finish work early. On my days in the office, I could also make use of a private milk expressing room which had been designed thoughtfully for that purpose. Though, the biggest help was a senior person who had been through a return to work herself assigning a portfolio back to me over time so that I didn’t have to fight to get cases back and could focus on building back my workload and reputation slowly with colleagues and clients.
Formal policies and initiatives helped, but I have also appreciated something that is unique to R&G in the patent profession: the number of female attorneys in the partnership and in senior leadership roles. This is unfortunately not typical in the profession – partly due to patent attorneys having STEM backgrounds, where women are still in the minority. There is also a high number of parents who have experienced first-hand a return to work from parental leave. I think this contributed to the hundreds of small acts of support I received when I returned, and thankfully to not being asked how my “break” was.
Georgina Ainscow, Parter (EES)
I joined Reddie & Grose in 2015, returning from maternity leave after my second child. At that stage in my life, the ability to work part time and in a hybrid, pattern was essential, and I felt genuinely supported to balance a demanding home life with continuing to build my career. What stood out to me then – and continues to now – is that flexibility here is treated as a practical enabler rather than a limitation. My working pattern did naturally influence the pace of my progression, but in a way that reflected my priorities at the time rather than limiting my long-term potential. I always felt that when I was ready to take on more, the firm would support that.
As my children grew up and I felt able to re‑balance my focus toward my career, the firm backed that transition wholeheartedly. That support, combined with the opportunities and trust placed in me, quickly led to my promotion to Partner. Today, although I work essentially full time, the flexibility I’m afforded allows me to manage my professional responsibilities while staying present for the things that matter at home. It’s a balance that many strive for and one I don’t take for granted.
I also believe that the commitment to hybrid working at Reddie & Grose strengthens the way we collaborate as a firm. It provides meaningful support to those with varied home commitments, while still recognising the value of being physically present together in the office. Through my involvement in recruitment within our Electrical, Electronics and Software team, and in supporting colleagues across different teams, I’ve seen how this model fosters an environment where people with diverse circumstances can contribute fully and sustainably. Speaking at Derwent’s 2023 International Women’s Day panel event gave me the opportunity to reflect on these themes publicly and engage in a wider discussion about flexibility and progression.
For me, International Women’s Day is a reminder of the importance of workplaces that enable women not only to remain in their careers, but to thrive in them – and I’m proud to say this firm has been exactly that for me.
This article is for general information only. Its content is not a statement of the law on any subject and does not constitute advice. Please contact Reddie & Grose LLP for advice before taking any action in reliance on it.
