241 Pizza

CHANTAL TREGEAR 41 DIRECTOR OF THE EXECUTIVE SEARCH FIRM TAYLOR BENNETT, GUILDFORD

What I’m doing now pretty much represents my dream job, because I set out terms before I came back from maternity leave. I do three days a week in the office in London, the other two days I work from home, which means I save three hours on commuting time, plus I can do the school run twice a week. I haven’t had to compromise in terms of creativity, influence and impact. Nothing is diluted. Working from home, without office distractions, has enabled me to be more productive and the company to be more profitable: a win-win situation. One of the problems in business is that there are still people who have a “long hours” mentality. The working culture needs to change so that people are valued for making a real contribution to the business, regardless of hours.

KATHLEEN BAIRD -MURRAY 40 NOVELIST, LONDON

I never wanted a top job. It was more important for me to feel creatively fulfilled and have my freedom. Working in an office served a purpose when the kids were both under two and under my feet, but the thought of missing out on long school holidays once they reached school age was anathema. Life threw me a wake-up call — my mother was diagnosed with a terminal illness and my nanny quit. Working from home means I can stop at 3pm to do the school run and take holidays when I like. I get all the outside stimulus I need by promoting my novel in America. And when my film agent said the magic words “franchise” and “sequel”, I knew that investing in my creative self was paying off. How could life be better?

KATH ROBINSON 30 FASHION PR, OXFORD

I would want a job that is diverse and a challenge, involving people who all listen to each other and who are good communicators, not self-seeking egotists, making for a good team environment that lacks the dull politics and drama that so often dominate offices. I would want to work somewhere central and/or interesting — so that it’s easy to pop out and get food/clothes — and that has a park to sit in when you get to escape for lunch. I like being busy, so I don’t have a problem with working relatively long hours, as long as there is an element of control — so if you do work late, nobody clock-watches the following morning. I think flexibility and being trusted with your own time is key.

CHARLEY VINCENT 29 FILM EXECUTIVE, LONDON

I would like to work less than 30 minutes from home, so I can travel in by bike, scooter or bus, and be near good places for lunch and shopping. As long as the hours are flexible — so you don’t feel you are a factory worker — I have no problems with working hard and long hours when necessary. I’d like to work with fun, witty, intelligent, hard-working people who don’t have attitude or form playground gangs. Bitchiness should not be tolerated, and you must be able to laugh at yourself — God knows, everyone else will. As for travel, as long as it is by private jet to five-star hotels, with the most gorgeous movie stars for company, then as much as you like . . . Nothing that involves Slough, please.

GYUNEL BOATENG 29 SALES AND MARKETING EXECUTIVE OF MOUSSAIEFF JEWELLERS, LONDON

I’d like to be a high-powered lifestyle PA for one very wealthy client. I’d use my creative powers to make their life totally beautiful: buying their clothes, restoring their houses, booking their holidays and even managing their investments, for example, by helping them choose what art to buy.

KATHERINE DOWNES 21 DRAMA GRADUATE, FOWEY, CORNWALL

My dream job would be managing artists or a music festival. I’d throw myself into it, doing whatever hours it took, though there would need to be an end to it, as I’d still need time for my family and friends — those relationships are important to me.

ANNABEL MEGGESON 33 FORMER EDITOR OF SHAPE MAGAZINE, LONDON

I really like the idea of project-based work: periods of working intensely with breaks in between. That’s what I envy about people such as actors or directors. I think it’s easier to work like that if you have children, because there’s an end in sight. It’s important for a parent to take their children to school — though that parent doesn’t always have to be me — so I wouldn’t want to start too early in the morning. But it’s not just about women being flexible — the father needs to be, too.

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