Gender Advisory Council: Anne Loveridge

I joined the UK firm in 1984 straight from university with a French and economics degree. I enjoyed my language courses and wanted to travel, so I chose a large firm which would enable me to achieve that goal. Having qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1987, I commenced a two-year secondment to Sydney, Australia, where I joined the Financial Services audit practice. Having met my husband, I decided to stay in Australia. In 1992 I transferred to Professional Standards (now ACS), the technical accounting services department. I loved working in ACS. At that stage, Ian Hammond (now Client Lead Partner on Westpac, one of the top four Australian banks) was leading the department, and we were a small, strong group of six people. I experienced a fantastic sense of teamwork.

Starting a family

I started my family during this role. I was 32 years old, and wanted to have my family before the age of 35. Back then, (in 1994) many women left the firm once they took maternity leave. There were no female partners in Assurance in Sydney. I found it difficult to tell Ian Hammond that I was pregnant, because suddenly I was going to be asking for things for which men don’t need to ask. But Ian (who is currently Chair of PwC Australia’s partner steering committee on diversity) is very easy to talk to about anything personal. He was terrific, and the nature of ACS work and the team structure helped with the transition. After returning to ACS from six months maternity leave, I was persuaded by a number of partners whom I trusted that my path to partnership involved a return to the audit practice.

On the path to leadership

In 1995, I began to see that partnership was two to three years away. Investment Banking clients were too demanding (quick deal turn around) to serve on a part-time basis, and I started to look at Investment Management (IM) sector opportunities. I picked up two large clients including Barclays Global Investors. I loved these roles: I understood the audit risks; I had junior managers to support me. I was managing my work and child day care routines. I felt I had great “work/life” balance. It was at this time I became pregnant with my second child.

Whilst I was on maternity leave, I was invited to return for the first Leadership Challenge (PwC Australia’s assessment programme for partner candidates). Shortly after, my husband took annual leave, and we brought the whole family (a 6 week old baby and a 2 year old toddler) to the Leadership Challenge event. I became a partner eight months later, in 1997.

Working part time

I was the first partner in the Australian firm to work part time. If someone had asked me how long I wanted to work part time, my secret answer would have been, until my children grow up! My official answer was, for two years. I was confident that I would be able to renegotiate later. I could tell that others anticipated that part-time work would be challenging for me and for the practice, but I was convinced that I could make it work. To this day, I still work 80 percent—I usually have Fridays off, although I flex this to fit in with client needs.

Focusing on people

I’ve learned that a deep interest in people can differentiate you in your career—it gives you leadership capabilities beyond your technical skills. My people orientation has helped me progress throughout my career, including my partner years.

Anne was featured on the Gender Agenda blog in May. Read about her views on achieving diversity.