Return Ready
Return to Work Summit
Reconnect
Rebuild
Relaunch
The summer break is over – now it’s time to refocus on you and your career.
Sponsored By:
You’re not alone - and you’re not behind.
Taking a career break is more common than ever – but returning can still feel daunting. Maybe you’re wondering where to begin, how to explain your gap, or whether your skills are still relevant. The good news? You’re bringing more to the table than you think – and you don’t have to figure it out alone.
That’s where Return Ready comes in.
Return Ready is a four-day virtual summit, brought to you by Investing in Women, designed to help you confidently re-enter the workforce, refresh your skills, and reignite your career goals after time away.
From mindset to market insights, confidence to CVs, each session is led by expert coaches and real returners who will equip you with the tools, clarity, and motivation to make your comeback count—this year and beyond.
Who It’s For
Return Ready is for anyone who’s taken a career break—and is now ready to reconnect with their professional identity, rebuild their confidence, and relaunch with purpose.
Whether your time away was for family, health, travel, study, redundancy, or a personal reset, this summit is designed with you in mind.
It’s for you if you’re:
✅ Exploring a return to work, but not sure where to start
✅ Actively job hunting and looking for an edge
✅ Wanting to rebuild confidence and clarity before making a move
✅ Wondering how to explain your career break to employers
✅Looking to update your skills, CV, and interview prep
✅ Ready to connect with others who get it
It’s for you if you’re:
✅ Exploring a return to work, but not sure where to start
✅ Actively job hunting and looking for an edge
✅ Wanting to rebuild confidence and clarity before making a move
✅ Wondering how to explain your career break to employers
✅Looking to update your skills, CV, and interview prep
✅ Ready to connect with others who get it
No matter how long you’ve been away, this is your space to reset- and come back stronger.
What to Expect
Over four focused and empowering days, you’ll explore both the practical and personal sides of returning to work, through sessions such as:
🔍 Career Clarity & Direction
Define what success looks like and create a plan for what’s next.
💬 Confidence & Leadership
Build confidence, overcome self-doubt and develop the mindset to thrive.
🌟 Real Return-to-Work Stories
Hear inspiring stories and practical lessons from women who’ve returned successfully.
📈 The Modern Job Market & AI
Understand today’s recruitment landscape and how to stand out confidently.
📄 CVs, Interviews & Getting Hired
Strengthen your applications, communicate your value and secure more interviews.
🌿 Wellbeing & Sustainable Success
Protect your wellbeing, manage competing demands and avoid burnout.
And more ...
The Series Line-Up
Get ready to be inspired, equipped, and energised.
Day 1
Defining Your Return: What Does Success Look Like for You Now?
Monday 21st September | ⏰ 9:30 AM
With Harriet Taylor, Founder of Wonder Women Coaching
Gain clarity on what success looks like for you now, so you can return to work with confidence, purpose and direction.
Read more about Harriet’s work here
Defining Your Return: What Does Success Look Like for You Now?
Monday 21st September | ⏰ 9:30 AM
With Harriet Taylor, Founder of Wonder Women Coaching
Gain clarity on what success looks like for you now, so you can return to work with confidence, purpose and direction.
Read more about Harriet’s work here
Rebuilding Confidence: Own Your Career Story
Monday 21st September | ⏰ 11:30 AM
Laura Nesbitt, Coach and Career Development Specialist
Rebuild your confidence, recognise your strengths and learn how to talk about your career break with confidence.
Read more about Laura’s work here
Day 2
How AI is Changing Recruitment in 2026 - And What It Means for Your Job Search
Tuesday 22nd September | ⏰ 10:00 AM
With Laurie Macpherson, Career Strategist & LinkedIn Expert
Cut through the AI hype and discover how recruitment really works in 2026, so you can job search with confidence.
Read more about Laurie’s work here
How AI is Changing Recruitment in 2026 - And What It Means for Your Job Search
Tuesday 22nd September | ⏰ 10:00 AM
With Laurie Macpherson, Career Strategist & LinkedIn Expert
Cut through the AI hype and discover how recruitment really works in 2026, so you can job search with confidence.
Read more about Laurie’s work here
Land More Interviews: CV & Interview Strategies for Returners
Tuesday 22nd September | ⏰ 11:30 AM
With Elizabeth Willetts, Founder of Investing in Women
Get insider recruiter advice to help you stand out, secure interviews and get hired.
Read more about Elizabeth’s work here
Returning to Work Isn't Your Only Option: Could Running a Business Be the Perfect Way to Relaunch Your Career?
Tuesday 22nd September | ⏰ 1:00 PM
With Rebecca Newenham, Founder of the Award-Winning Business Outsourcing Company, Get Ahead
Discover how starting your own business could offer greater flexibility, freedom and purpose.
Read more about Rebecca’s work here
Returning to Work Isn't Your Only Option: Could Running a Business Be the Perfect Way to Relaunch Your Career?
Tuesday 22nd September | ⏰ 1:00 PM
With Rebecca Newenham, Founder of the Award-Winning Business Outsourcing Company, Get Ahead
Discover how starting your own business could offer greater flexibility, freedom and purpose.
Read more about Rebecca’s work here
Day 3
Building Boundaries That Stick: Juggling Life Without Burning Out When You Have a Family and a Career
Wednesday 23rd September | ⏰ 10:00 AM
With Roz Davies, Creator of Balanced Mum AcademyTM.
This session is all about equipping you with the tools and confidence to make a successful return to work. Don’t miss this opportunity to get job-search ready for the next chapter of your career!
Read more about Roz’s work here
How to Look After Your Health and Wellbeing on Your Return to Work When Life Gets Busier
Wednesday 23rd September | ⏰ 11:30 AM
With Anna Allerton, Executive Coach
Discover practical strategies to protect your wellbeing, avoid burnout and thrive as you return to work.
Read more about Anna’s work here
How to Look After Your Health and Wellbeing on Your Return to Work When Life Gets Busier
Wednesday 23rd September | ⏰ 11:30 AM
With Anna Allerton, Executive Coach
Discover practical strategies to protect your wellbeing, avoid burnout and thrive as you return to work.
Read more about Anna’s work here
Returning Stronger: How to Build Resilience, Confidence and Wellbeing During Career Change
Wednesday 23rd September | ⏰ 1:00 PM
With Lindsey Roberts, Life Coach and founder of Goal Digger Coaching
Build the resilience, confidence and mindset needed to navigate change and return to work stronger than ever.
Read more about Lindsey’s work here
Day 4
5 Steps to Becoming a More Confident Leader: Build Your Confidence, Increase Your Impact and Step Into Your Potential
Thursday 24th of September | ⏰ 10:00 AM
Jen Smollett, Leadership Coach
Build the confidence to step into leadership, own your strengths and make a bigger impact at work.
Read more about Jen’s work here
5 Steps to Becoming a More Confident Leader: Build Your Confidence, Increase Your Impact and Step Into Your Potential
Thursday 24th of September | ⏰ 10:00 AM
Jen Smollett, Leadership Coach
Build the confidence to step into leadership, own your strengths and make a bigger impact at work.
Read more about Jen’s work here
Your Financial Comeback: How to Return to Work with Confidence and Control
Thursday 24th of September | ⏰ 11:30 AM
With Olivia Shipstone, Financial Adviser
Gain the financial confidence to make informed decisions about work, childcare, pensions and your future.
Read more about Olivia’s work here
They Did It. So Can You: Success Stories from Women Who Successfully Returned to Work After a Career Break
Thursday 24th of September | ⏰ 1:00 PM
With Kim Holland, Career Transition Coach
Hear inspiring real-life return-to-work stories and discover what’s possible for your own next chapter.
Read more about Kim’s work here
They Did It. So Can You: Success Stories from Women Who Successfully Returned to Work After a Career Break
Thursday 24th of September | ⏰ 1:00 PM
With Kim Holland, Career Transition Coach
Hear inspiring real-life return-to-work stories and discover what’s possible for your own next chapter.
Read more about Kim’s work here
Day 5
Returning to Work Without the Guilt: How to Be the Parent You Want to Be and Build a Career You Love
Friday 25th of September | ⏰ 10:00 AM
With Giulia Galli, Parental Coach
Discover how to let go of working parent guilt and build a career you love—without compromising the parent you want to be.
Read more about Giulia’s work here
Stop Scrolling. Start Strategising: How to Use LinkedIn to Advance Your Career
Friday 25th of September | ⏰ 12:30 PM
With Leanne Cooper, Career Advancement Coach and creator of Accelerate
Discover how to stop scrolling and start using LinkedIn strategically to build visibility, grow your network and unlock your next career opportunity.
Read more about Leanne’s work here
Stop Scrolling. Start Strategising: How to Use LinkedIn to Advance Your Career
Friday 25th of September | ⏰ 12:30 PM
With Leanne Cooper, Career Advancement Coach and creator of Accelerate
Discover how to stop scrolling and start using LinkedIn strategically to build visibility, grow your network and unlock your next career opportunity.
Read more about Leanne’s work here