The annual list of 50 people, produced by the part-time and flexible jobs recruiter in association with PRWeek sister publication Management Today, is designed to inspire more employers to consider the benefits of allowing staff to work more flexibly and achieve a better work-life balance.
The roll call of 50 top men and women who work in senior jobs across multiple industries, including PR, comms and advertising, includes Sam Lythgoe, managing director, business development UK and EMEA for Hill+Knowlton Strategies.
Lythgoe, who is responsible for the agency’s new business, marketing and external comms, as well as social media, has worked a four-day week since 2009 when she returned from her second maternity leave. She now works two days from home and two days from the office.
Also listed is Mark Webb, head of group social at Dixons Carphone, who is among 11 men on the list of 50 people.
Webb, who launched the company’s corporate social media strategy as part of its overall comms plan, also works four days per week.
He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2008 and his current role was established to enable him to manage the chronic illness while meeting the company’s objectives.
The other names on the list include James McEwen, a research team head at the bank Nomura International; Thiago De Moraes, creative partner at ad agency AMVBBDO and Sarah Simpson, head of product at Premier Inn.
Research accompanying the power list revealed that a third of the UK’s growing population of high-earning part-time workers are men.
Overall, Timewise estimates that 700,000 people in Britain who earn in excess of £40,000 per year are working part time on a formal basis, of which 230,000 are men.
Karen Mattison, joint chief executive of Timewise, said: "Part-time working has reached a tipping point, and this year’s Power Part Time list is testament to this – with more entries than ever and, crucially, more men than ever. Part-time and flexible working has moved from the sidelines to the centre stage. The world of work has changed, and our list tells the story of the incredible people who are shaking up the status quo."
