094: Why are women still hesitating to talk about ambition and family at work? with Zoe Davenport

Summary Thank you to BCH for sponsoring this episode. In this episode, Sandra speaks with Zoe Davenport, Head of Customer and Brand at BCH, about the question many women still quietly navigate: Why are women still hesitating to talk about ambition and family at work? Zoe shares her unexpected journey into insurance, from qualifying as a quantity surveyor during the 2009 financial crisis to building a 14-year career that evolved from surveying into marketing and customer leadership. Her story is a reminder that career paths are rarely linear and that transferable skills often matter more than we realise. Together, Sandra and Zoe explore the tension many women feel between career progression and family planning. They discuss the unspoken calculations that happen in your late twenties and early thirties, the fear of being “written off” before anything has even happened, and why open conversations still feel risky for many. Zoe reflects candidly on pregnancy, returning to work, nursery chaos, and the emotional reality behind what looks like a seamless transition on LinkedIn. They examine how return-to-work programmes are only as effective as the culture behind them and why genuine support cannot simply live on paper. The conversation also dives into networking dynamics, from golf days to manicure meetings, and challenges the idea that you must emulate existing norms to earn your seat at the table. This is an honest discussion about ambition, authenticity, culture, and building a workplace where women do not feel they have to shrink, hide or pre-emptively slow down their careers. Key Takeaways Career paths evolve, and transferable skills are often underestimated. It is easy to climb a ladder you never consciously chose. Many women still self-edit ambition when family planning becomes part of the picture. Open conversations require cultural safety, not just policy. Return-to-work support depends on manager mindset and company ethos. You do not have to change who you are to build influence. Networking can (and should) evolve beyond traditional formats. Culture is experienced through people, not just written in handbooks. Insurance offers diverse, fascinating career opportunities that many women have yet to fully see. About the Guest Connect with Zoe Davenport on LinkedIn. Zoe is Head of Customer and Brand at BCH, a leading provider of reinstatement cost assessments, and a passionate advocate for equity, inclusion and sustainable career progression within insurance and construction. About the Sponsor BCH is a multidisciplinary Chartered Building Consultantancy. Visit the website. Follow on LinkedIn. About the Host Connect with Sandra Lewin on LinkedIn. Sign up to the ‘Coffee with Sandra’ newsletter to stay up to date on all things 100 Women in Insurance. Join ‘The Pink Book’ Collective, a private LinkedIn community connecting women in insurance to find mentors, speaking opportunities and much more.