Changing the face of part-time working: the power listers

For years, the term "part-time" has been synonymous with junior responsibility and low pay. And yet the pool of people who want to work in this way is incredibly diverse. Analysis of the government's labour market and salary data suggests that as many as 650,000 people are working in skilled roles earning the equivalent of a £40,000-a-year salary.

And yet in a recent study we conducted, three quarters of skilled part-time workers said they felt trapped – unable to progress "up or out" of their current roles, without having to forfeit their much-needed flexibility. Some even reported that they felt their time to "enjoy a true career" was over.

The UK should be leading on part-time and flexible working. Eight million people in this country work 30 hours a week or less. Part-time workers account for a significant number – one in four people – in our working population. A recent study from the RSA and Vodafone UK, found that better flexible working practices could generate £8.1bn for the economy.

Senior level part-time working, led by future-forward businesses, is starting to happen all across the UK. Although with individual working patterns still considered a closed topic, it's often not visible to the vast majority (those "trapped" part-time workers who want to progress), which perpetuates the "cannot be done" myth.

Last year, in a bid to identify and celebrate trailblazers, and change perceptions of what a part-time job is, Timewise produced the UK's first ever part-time power list. We profiled 50 of the UK's leading part-time executives, including Belinda Earl, the style director of Marks & Spencer , Lea Paterson, the head of the inflation, report and bulletin division at the Bank of England and Mike Dean, who heads Accenture's BPO business.

Both men and women made the list, all working part-time for different reasons, all challenging the concept that part-time equals lack of commitment or limited potential.

We are now looking to build a fresh list of a further 50 inspirational case studies for 2013. We want to hear from pioneering businesses, both large and small, to uncover the UK's most interesting instances of senior part-time working. The nomination process runs from now until 23 September, and the next top 50 will be unveiled at the end of the year.

Achieving great success, in part-time or flexible hours, is something to be celebrated, not hidden. So the next time you hear someone say "it's just a little part-time job" – tell them to give me a call.

Karen Mattison MBE is the co-founder of Timewise Foundation. Find out more about the part-time power list and nominate here

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