Returning Star

This award celebrates an individual who has returned to work after a career break for any reason and has demonstrated an outstanding contribution to their organisation and/or the wider industry since their return, exceeding expectations and making a real impact.

The contenders

Gemma Price

Kier Group

Gemma is an outstanding Senior HR Business Partner whose impact since returning from maternity leave has been nothing short of transformative. Over her 8 years and 9 months at Kier, she has reshaped workforce planning, strengthened talent pipelines and driven a proactive, future‑focused approach that has prepared Natural Resources for unprecedented AMP8 growth. Her leadership has accelerated internal mobility, enhanced diversity and inclusion, and delivered innovative attraction campaigns that set new benchmarks across the business. Balancing strategic vision with compassionate, people‑centred leadership, Gemma has become a role model for women in the industry.

Golda Zipfel

UK Power Networks

Golda Zipfel is a well-loved project manager whose decade at UK Power Networks includes two triumphant returns to work after having her sons. Leading on major electrical projects such as HS2, she brings renewed drive, technical expertise and people‑first leadership. Golda supports new project managers, strengthens customer relationships and delivers complex engineering across London. Her impact and experience show why retaining skilled employees is vital for the energy industry, making her a true returning star and a key part of the London team (Utility Week’s Team of the Year 2025).

Hazel McBride

SP Energy Networks

Since returning to SP Energy Networks in February 2025 after a 15‑year career break, Hazel McBride has delivered exceptional impact within the Transmission Market Development & Commercial team. She has transformed early‑stage connections processes, strengthened data quality and regulatory performance, and taken a leading role in Connections Reform. Personally, delivering all project review checks required for the new national connections queue. Hazel has rapidly upskilled in Power BI, Foundry and Salesforce, becoming the team’s data lead, while also building resilience through onboarding and supporting colleagues. Her return demonstrates reinvigorated expertise, confidence and leadership, making Hazel an outstanding Returning Star contender.

Jingxiao Ma

Cognizant

Jingxiao Ma exemplifies the true spirit of a Returning Star. After stepping away for maternity leave twice, she has returned each time with renewed focus, resilience, and an exceptional ability to deliver impact at pace. She has seamlessly transitioned back into complex, high-demand consulting environments and quickly taken on critical roles that influence client strategy and innovation. From driving transformational ERP programmes to leading pioneering AI initiatives, her work has strengthened client trust and elevated Cognizant’s position as a forward-thinking partner. Jingxiao’s journey is not just about returning to work—it is about continuously growing, leading, and inspiring others.

Laura Sansom

Anglian Water

After returning from maternity leave, Laura Sansom quickly made a powerful impact as Regional Manager in Water Recycling Networks at Anglian Water. She excelled in performance management and led operational improvements across complex network challenges. Laura’s talent for bringing together teams to address system-wide issues helped WRN surpass flooding and pollution targets, achieving at least £15 million in ODI forecast improvements. Her courage, confidence, and inspiring leadership set a high standard, making her an outstanding role model for women re-entering the workforce and demonstrating her exceptional ability to drive positive change from day one.

Laura Towers

National Gas

Since returning to the utilities industry in January 2025, after a 10 year career break, Laura Towers has made an extraordinary impact. She quickly became a driving force in critical regulatory and asset management work, leading coordination of our Asset responses to Ofgem’s Supplementary Question responses, while also developing a smooth Uncertainty Mechanism handover process and shaping our Asset Management Plan improvement programme. Laura’s clarity, calm leadership and structured approach have turned high pressure activities into high quality outcomes. Her confidence and influence have grown rapidly, helping secure funding, strengthening our regulatory position and raising the bar across the organisation.

Megan Lilley

Selwood

Following a particularly difficult start to motherhood, Megan is passionate about showing that becoming a parent does not mean sacrificing career ambitions. She actively demonstrates that it is possible to progress, lead, and succeed while also being a committed and present parent. Through her example, she hopes to give other women the confidence to pursue both their professional and personal goals without compromise, reinforcing the importance of inclusive and supportive workplaces where women can truly thrive. It is deeply important to Megan that her journey helps to inspire other women.