Name: Kerrie Callow

Current Role: International Newstrade Manager

Joined Seymour: 2010

I joined Seymour International in 2010 and I think the length of time I have been with the business speaks volumes about what a great place it is to work.

My current job title is International Newstrade Manager and I work in the Export team.  I have a client list of Publishers and liaise between them and Magazine distributors all over the world to develop their brands and grow listings and sales overseas.

I’ve always had such a positive experience at Seymour and have always felt supported both in my role at work and in my personal life choices.  Just two years after joining in 2012 I fell pregnant and was very torn between returning to the job I loved and trying to be the best Mum that I could.  I was desperate not to miss those important early years with my son, but nor did I want to give up my career and if I am honest as women, I don’t see why we should have to make such a tough decision.

Seymour were completely understanding of how I felt and supported me back to work with a job share arrangement with a colleague who had also recently had a baby.  This meant I could work just 3 days a week during that time and spend the rest of the week with my son, it was such a marvellous balance.  I have two children now and have since returned to longer hours as they are both at school, but I will be forever grateful for knowing I didn’t miss their early years.

I am also an E,D&I Advocate for the Frontline Group and enjoy being part of the team who are shaping  such an important positive movement.  Of particular interest to me within this area, is ensuring that Frontline becomes as neuroinclusive as possible and to this end I lead the Neurodiversity Support Hub tasked with raising awareness and providing education on this subject.

I wanted to take this a step further and be able to offer support and advice on any workplace adjustments that may be needed for any of my colleagues who disclosed as being Neurodivergent and so following a proposal from me, Frontline fully supported this and saw it as a positive offering for the business and paid for me to get the necessary qualification to do this.

I absolutely love my job and having the opportunity to build relationships around the globe, we face many challenges for sure but there is never a dull or quiet moment and my involvement with E,D&I is a great way to network with other teams across the business and diversify the things I can be involved in.