We talk to Mara about the “unexpected” accolade which landed just weeks after giving birth to her second child

What was the overarching feeling of being named in Insider North West’s coveted 42 under 42?

Surprise—and totally unexpected. Now, I suppose I just feel humbled by it. There’s also a bit of imposter syndrome, as I value the work I do and what I bring to the industry. But really, this is about everyone else at Enspec. I underpin a support function for people who are incredibly talented and capable of making a real impact on how the grid operates and how renewable energy is integrated into it.

So, I can’t say I feel like I’m the most deserving person from the business for this. That said, I do appreciate it. It’s a two-sided feeling.

How did the accolade come about?

I had done an interview with a mergers and acquisitions media publication, and when our acquisition plans became public, I was invited to an Insider business roundtable. This was just four weeks after I’d had a baby. I wasn’t sure whether to go, but I decided to—and it went well. Not long after, Insider revealed I’d been selected. I also joined a panel at the 42 under 42 dinner, which was surprising too.

Since then, a couple of people have reached out to me regarding potential collaborations, so it’s ended up being great for business development as well.

How has it been reintegrating yourself back into work following the recent birth of your second child?

I honestly really appreciate how fortunate I am to be in a position where I can choose the hours I work. There has been an element of personal pressure, probably due to societal standards that I don’t necessarily agree with, but I’ve structured things so I’ve returned to work sooner, though on reduced hours. Right now, I aim to work one day a week and prioritize quality time with my children, although I do put in extra hours in the evenings and early mornings. Over the next year or so, I plan to gradually increase to three days a week.

Is there a learning process when it comes to addressing this balance?

I’ve really had to focus on what it means to trust a team, how to evaluate that trust, and how to work with people on the best ways to provide feedback. The team at Enspec truly has the business’ best interests at heart—and that of their colleagues. We all care enough to collaborate and bring our work to the best possible standard. When you approach any meeting or project with that mindset, you know you’re doing well. It’s a collaborative effort.

Stress management has been really important for me, and that’s also where your colleagues come in. Trusting them to have autonomy and build their skills has been key, just as I’ve had to do myself. Navigating being a mum and working is, of course, tough. But I’ve found that I’ve become better at connecting with people—whether that’s my colleagues, children, or family. It’s all about being mindful of connections and planning.