In the lead-up to IWD23 we sat down with our latest recruit, Occupational Therapist Alison Lenton to get her perspective on her new role, juggling motherhood and gaining her Hand Therapy Accreditation. 

What does it mean to you to work for a female-led business?

I think it's awesome! Thankfully it is less unusual these days (I'm showing my age by saying that).

What do you feel are the benefits? 

A deeper level of understanding of the demands of home life, particularly if you're a working mum. That encompasses everything from having to rearrange your work to care for a sick child or to attend a school event or to rush off to Brisbane when your young adult child is suddenly in hospital. When you work in a female-led business there is often a better understanding of the importance of the dynamic landscape you exist within.

Has it been different to working in a male-led business?

Honestly, I'm not sure - it may just be personality based? OTs are just awesome people.

Have women been influential in the choices you have made?

OT is a very female-dominated area within health, so absolutely. Some of them were groundbreakers, now legends in their field. They fought hard for their place at the table. We should not forget that it was harder for them to become business leaders and highly regarded in their field.

What's your proudest Apricus moment?

Realising what a great team of men and women I get to work with every day, they are supported by the positive culture within our workplace

What are you hoping to achieve in your role at Apricus this year?

My work goal is to complete my hand therapy accreditation this year.

What are you hoping to achieve personally? 

To use the flexibility of my work schedule to maintain the close connection within my family, learning how to "mother from a distance". I have always seen a big part of my mum role as keeping that closeness and connectedness between us all even though our lives get busy and we go off to follow our own paths - its trickier now, but so far so good. And I'm racking up the frequent flyer points!