Four-day working week pioneer Lorraine Gray, and employment law specialist Michael McLaughlin have taken up new Flexibility Works board roles as we grow our business, and continue supporting Scottish employers to embrace and benefit from more flexible ways of working.
Lorraine Gray
Lorraine Gray, Chief Operating Officer at global demand generation agency Pursuit Marketing, which has headquarters in Glasgow, moved staff to a four-day working week without reducing pay in 2016, and saw productivity and applications for jobs soar.
The company offers many other types of flexible working, including remote and hybrid, part-time and flexitime, as part of a wider employee engagement programme centred around wellbeing.
Lorraine said: “Flexible working has always made good sense to me, both for people and for businesses. Flexibility Works approached Pursuit back in 2016, in response to our four-day week, and it was clear that our values were aligned and that we could drive value from that relationship whilst we continued our focus on people innovation.
“We’ve been delighted to contribute to various Flexibility Works programmes and events over the years, and with more organisations than ever considering flexible working as a post-pandemic working model, now feels like the right time to join the board and support the wider goals of the organisation in the years ahead.”
Lorraine is now a member of the board for Flexibility Works.
Michael McLaughlin
Michael McLaughlin, Partner at Shoosmiths, has taken on an advisory role to the board, while his colleague and Flexibility Works board member Jennifer Wright is on maternity leave.
Michael is known for high profile employment law cases including representing Amey Plc, Chivas Bothers Limited, Graham’s The Family Dairy and CALMAC.
Michael said: “We have been closely aligned with Flexibility Works for years because we share the same outlook and values on the subjects of work and employment. Even pre-Covid, Shoosmiths saw the value of home and flexible working, generally recognising that people perform best and stay longer if they are relieved of some of the pressure of balancing private and family life with work. Post-Covid, Shoosmiths has moved to a full hybrid working model leaving it to managers and employees to work out the best place for them to work on any given day.”
Michael will advise the board on legal issues around its own governance, as well as providing updates and insight on any changes to UK legislation impacting flexible working.
Driving support for Scottish employers
Nikki Slowey, co-founder and director at Flexibility Works, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Lorraine and Michael as we steadily grow and diversify our board. They both bring excellent knowledge and experience that will benefit ourselves and our clients.
“While the pandemic has dramatically changed how many people work, there are still too many for whom flexible working isn’t an option, or it’s not working well. We need to show employers they stand to gain just as much as employees if they get flex right.”
Flexibility Works board members
Lorraine and Michael will bolster the work of existing board members Nikki Slowey and Lisa Gallagher, the co-founders and directors of Flexibility Works, as well as Andrew Watson, managing director and founder of IT firm Quorum, Elizabeth Watson, owner of specialist retailer The Mobility Centre. Jennifer Wright, an employment lawyer at Shoosmiths, is expected to return to her board role in 2023.
Board members, who are also charity trustees for Flexibility Works are principally responsible for agreeing the company’s strategic objectives and monitoring progress towards them, as well as helping to appoint senior management.
