I’m lucky in this job I get to work with super creative and talented people, doing flexible hours, on work that I love. Every day is different.

One day I’m curating a newsletter going out to over 100,000 readers with insightful and engaging content from top-notch writers or venues. The next I’m talking to a high-end brand about how Bubele can help drive the marketing strategies of their business.

Last Monday, I was sat with my colleague at Bubele HQ (well ok, it was our kitchen table) discussing our plans for the future when we began to hatch a plan. Driven by the insight that there is a huge financial knowledge gap amongst women especially as they enter the phase of life that often includes marriage and having babies. The data suggests that many women do not understand the basics of their company’s maternity provision, back-to-work guidelines, impact on pensions or how to invest and fund for big-ticket items. It was out of this plan that we decided that there was an opportunity to organise an educational event for mums and mums-to-be.

The need for the event was entirely proven when I confidently called my financial adviser to put in a request for sponsorship only to find that ‘my financial adviser’ hadn’t actually been our adviser for over 2 years. How (and why) did I miss my husband making that decision?

Embarrassed, yes. Humiliated, almost. The penny dropped, there is a knowledge gap; for me, for many of my friends and probably for many mums and mums-to-be. In general, family finances are just not a priority during pregnancy and beyond and that really needs to change.

Indeed if you take the time to read this ‘state of the nation report’ on women’s financial power, you will understand why in the opening foreword, Maike Currie states that ‘Financial inequality is one of the greatest challenges we face. On current trends, it will take more than 200 years to close the gap.’ But this is a different point I hear you cry – financial inequality for women doesn’t automatically compute into ‘financial disinterest and empathy’. Well actually, we would argue it does. In reality, investment companies have historically talked to men because they have usually been a. the main breadwinners and b. the higher earners. It’s no wonder we aren’t interested!

This Fawcett Society and Pinsent Masons study backs all of this up. The lack of engagement from women is causing financial insecurity for them now and in the future. In broad terms, women are not saving enough for their pensions, investing enough in financial products and/or insuring themselves appropriately.

So when we find out that we are parents to be, we load up with mountains of books, websites, articles and advice on what to expect when we have our baby, but the potentially significant impact on our career and finances is rarely covered. What advice is there and what can we do to prepare? Big ticket items like a bigger house, school/university fees, pensions when you aren’t working etc.. are all areas that are often neglected and not understood.

So, as I ponder my own role in all of this. I realise that I really do need to get on top of my own ‘knowledge gap’. So as a starter for 10, my husband has given me the number of our new financial adviser. My next call? “I’m organising this wonderful event – we’d love you to be the sponsor, oh and can we meet to review my finances”. I’m trying!

Sophie Holdcroft

Director – Bubele

Bubele’s ‘The Parent Trap’ event is being held on Thursday 15th November at 7pm in Central London in partnership with ‘She’s on the Money’.

You can buy tickets here.

Event Details

Join us and our panel of experts as they break down the financial commitments and pitfalls you can expect as a mother.

Let’s face it having children is a massive financial commitment! But when we find out we’re expecting why is there so little talk about the financial implications. Just because you’re a mum, control over your career, your finances and your pension shouldn’t have to go out with the bath water. Whether you are thinking about starting a family, expecting or already 10 years down the track … it’s never too late to start preparing and get to grips with your and your family’s financial future. So brace yourself and come and find out how.

Our panel of experts will provide practical tips on:

  • What to expect financially when you’re expecting
    • How to deal with the ‘career break penalty’
    • How to go solo – setting up on your own
    • How to flex it – how to negotiate flexible working
    • Entrepreneurship and more …
  • Planning for the future and investing wisely
    • The cost of having children
    • How to save for education
    • How to create a nest egg fund for yourself and the family
  • The legal side of love
    • How do you provide for your and your child’s financial security
    • How to protect your wealth
    • Does being married or co-habiting make a difference?
    • Why it’s important you have a will
  • Pay Attention to your Pension
    • What happens to your pension when you’re on a career break
    • Do you know what your pension is being invested in?
    • Are you making the most of your pension?
    • How to make it tax efficient
    • and more …

Proudly supported by Supported by Artemis Fund Managers and Peter Ward Investment planning.

Our speakers include:

Kath Sloggett

Kath Sloggett is an entrepreneur, career coach and start-up adviser. She started her career in large organisations – including PwC, Coca-Cola and BT – before branching out into smaller businesses, becoming the CEO at Everyman Cinemas. Using this wealth of experience, she began coaching entrepreneurs and professionals and launched her own businesses including Runneth. Kath is a working mother so she can speak from personal experience in managing parenthood and career.

Lisa Conway-Hughes

Miss Lolly is a financial adviser at a wealth management firm in the City of London. She is a Chartered Independent Financial Adviser and also a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society (PFS). This is the highest qualification a financial adviser can hold and less than 2% of PFS members have reached this. Miss Lolly is also a member of MENSA. In her spare time, Miss Lolly enjoys socialising with her friends, trying out new restaurants, keeping fit and playing Sudoku. She lives in South West London with her husband and is the proud mum of 2 children.

Rosemary Sharpe

Rosemary Sharp is a partner specialising in family law. She advises couples on how to plan for their future and protect wealth and helps families find financial and practical solutions when relationships break down. Her clients are diverse in terms of location, financial and personal circumstances. She also advises third parties such as parents, grandparents and trustees. Rosemary works between Lester Aldridge’s London, Bournemouth and Southampton offices.

Rebecca Tunstall

Rebecca is an investment manager working with a team managing private client portfolios, self-invested pensions schemes and charities. She is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment. Rebecca started her career in 2004 at Whitefoord Limited, before moving to Holden & Partners, a Wealth Management firm with an Ethical bias. Rebecca worked as a Junior Investment Manager, where she was managing portfolios and researching investments before joining Rathbones in 2010.

The night promises great company, prosecco and snacks!

Bubele aims to inform, inspire and engage modern parents.

She’s on the Money empowers women to take control of their financial futures.

Kindly supported by

Gold Sponsor