Mums in Tech ft. Lorraine Dodd

As part of our ‘Mums in Tech’ series, we caught up with Lorraine Dodd, IS/IT Director at Renault UK.

The purpose of our 'MotherBoard’ content series is to highlight incredible working mums within tech & data, as well as individuals and businesses that are supportive and progressive within their approach to creating more inclusive tech & data teams for women.

Firstly, can you please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your current role?

Hello! I’m Lorraine Dodd I’m currently the Director of IS/IT at Renault UK, where I get to work with an incredible team driving infrastructure, security, digitization and business intelligence. In short, we make sure tech isn’t just running smoothly but also pushing the business forward in smart and efficient ways.

I’ve been part of the Renault Group for over a decade, taking on leadership roles at Mobilize Financial Services, where I focused on security, governance, project management and organizational strategy. It’s been a fantastic journey, giving me the chance to align technology with big-picture business goals.

If you could sum up what it’s like being a working mum in tech in one sentence, what would it be?

Some days, it’s absolutely insane juggling the demands of work and kids, but I wouldn’t have it any other way—I’m proud to set this example for my children.

“I remind myself that being a working mum isn’t about doing it all—it’s about focusing on what truly matters in the moment.”

How do you find the balance between your career and motherhood??

Finding balance between my career and motherhood is a constant work in progress! When I’m working, I stay focused, plan and prioritise tasks to ensure everything gets done in the right order, and delegate when needed. Once work is finished and I’m in family mode, I’m fully present, giving my children my undivided attention.

My husband and I rely on a strong support system—family, friends, and wraparound childcare—all of which takes time and effort to plan, but it’s worth it to create consistency and keep things running smoothly for everyone. I remind myself that being a working mum isn’t about doing it all—it’s about focusing on what truly matters in the moment.

Somewhere in between all of this you also need to find a bit of space for you time, to do something you enjoy, something just for you and no one else.

What has been your greatest challenge as a working mother in tech??

One of my biggest challenges as a working mother in tech was transitioning back to work after my second maternity leave while stepping into a new leadership role. It was both exciting and overwhelming—I had to quickly get up to speed, build relationships, and establish trust, all while supporting my young children as they navigated their own big changes. It was a demanding period, I was able to push through those tough days by remember two things that I truly believe. For me personally, being a working mum has made me a better parent and every woman deserves the opportunity to grow, progress, and achieve great things in their career.

“For me personally, being a working mum has made me a better parent and. every woman deserves the opportunity to grow, progress, and achieve great things in their career.”

What skills have you developed as a mother that have helped your work life??

Motherhood has been the ultimate leadership training! It has sharpened my ability to multitask and remain calm under pressure—because if I can navigate toddler tantrums, I can handle any workplace challenge.

It has strengthened my communication skills—not only in managing the chaos of getting out the door each morning but also in understanding different perspectives at work. This helps foster collaboration and ensures we work effectively as a team to achieve our goals.

Above all, it has deepened my empathy. I have a greater awareness of life’s challenges and make a conscious effort to support my team, recognising when they may need guidance or flexibility to navigate their own hurdles.

When you were returning to work, what one thing helped you / would have helped you the most?

When I was returning to work, having a strong support system—both at home and in the workplace—made all the difference. Knowing I had people to rely on, whether it was family helping with childcare or colleagues who understood the transition, was invaluable.

I often smile at the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child,” because it’s absolutely true. In many cases, that village doesn’t just magically appear, you have to build it yourself, that means not being afraid to ask for help and support when you need it.

“Be confident in setting boundaries that allow you to thrive both as a professional and a parent.”

What do you feel should be the top priority for employers who want to support working mothers better??

For me, flexible working arrangements are essential. Offering options like remote work, flexible hours or part-time opportunities helps mothers manage both their professional and personal responsibilities without feeling overwhelmed. When considering the bigger picture, no parent should ever have to choose between attending their child’s school play or a work meeting. Just as meetings proceed when someone is on annual leave or sick and can be caught up on later, the same mindset should apply when we need to switch into "parent mode."

Any final words of advice for other mothers in the Tech Industry??

For mothers in the tech industry, my advice would be don’t let anyone define your worth or capabilities based on outdated expectations. The tech world is evolving and so are the ways we can balance work and family life. Be confident in setting boundaries that allow you to thrive both as a professional and a parent. Seek out mentors and communities that understand the unique challenges of working mums building that support system can make a huge difference.

MotherBoard is a Business Charter, Community & Event Series, driving tangible change for mums working in the tech industry.

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