Our founder Kate has been honoured in the 2019 Timewise Power 50 awards, a roll call of 50 powerful executives in the UK - who all happen to work part time or flexibly. The awards were set up to challenge people’s perceptions around what a part-time job is, or can be, and on what flexible workers can achieve.
The 2019 Timewise Power 50 Awards have been compiled following a nationwide search.
The initiative has the backing of EY, Dixons Carphone, Lloyds Banking Group and Diageo.
This year Kate has been honoured – working flexible hours as the Founder & Director of Mini First Aid. Choosing to do so because of her desire to balance her family life with 6 children and her fast growing Mini First Aid Business.
Kate had previously worked for Mars Incorporated. Kate launched Mini First Aid in her hometown of Leeds in 2014, with a desire to provide short accessible first aid classes for parents and carers of babies & young children. The business now has over 50 trainers training over 1000 families a week in first aid across the UK. Each of the trainers work flexibly and state their desire to work flexibly as one of the motivators for joining Mini First Aid. At head office Kate leads Mini First Aid with her husband Matt and a team of specialists, all working flexibly.
Mini First Aid partner with some of the UKs leading baby businesses, many of those relationships cultivated by Kate. Kate and Mini First Aid have won numerous awards both for the products & classes and for the business growth.
Time wise founder Karen Mattison led the judging panel, which included business leaders; Jo Morrell, The Telegraph, Sophie Cornish, Co-founder, notonthehighstreet, Sally Bundock, from the BBC and Janvi Patel of Halebury. After hearing from hundreds of people, the judges compiled a list of 50 deemed to be the most outstanding.
The judges were asked to apply the following criteria:
- SENIORITY- challenging the notion that part-time or flexible working only suits junior roles.
- INSPIRATION- stories that break new ground or hold personal interest that will provide a role model for others.
- SUCCESS- evidence of advancement or significant achievement since working part-time or flexibly
- ENTREPRENEURIALISM - stories of how founders have ‘made it work’ and what has been their flexible working motivation.
Timewise co-founder and judge Karen Mattison MBE, who led the initiative from the start says: “Kate Ball is a trailblazer for modern work and what can be achieved when you think innovatively about work life balance. And represent how work in the UK is changing. The Timewise Power 50 List has become a beacon of hope – shining a light on what’s possible in the working world. And what’s clear this year, is that the so-called quiet revolution in the workplace has suddenly found its voice. With five generations all working alongside each other in the modern workplace, and working flexibly for all kinds of reasons, this is no longer about a concession being made for a small number of workers – it’s simply becoming ‘how’ we work”
Kate says: ”I am absolutely delighted to be included in this prestigious award, working flexibly has become my mantra since having children and I want to empower all those who work for Mini First Aid to be able to do the same”
Timewise is led by award-winning foundersand Joint CEOs, Karen Mattisonand Emma Stewart. In 2010 they were made MBEs for their services to social enterprise.
