The juggle of working life - stories from the Women of Hisense on IWD

For over a century, International Women’s Day (IWD) has stood as a global movement for gender equality; a day marked for celebrating the achievements of women. With this year’s theme of ‘Accelerating Action’, the 2025 campaign emphasises the urgency of breaking down systemic barriers and biases that continue to hinder progress towards true gender equality.

Technology sector has long been considered a male-dominated field, with women historically underrepresented in leadership and technical roles. Despite the stereotype, the Hisense UK office is almost evenly split between men and women; highlighting, that as a company we value gender equality, with talented women thriving across all departments—from marketing and sales to product development and technical roles. Hence, Hisense UK are a company that commits to employing people that create an inclusive workplace environment where everyone can grow and succeed.

To mark this important day, we have spoken to some of the incredible women at Hisense UK to hear their stories, experiences, and the impact they make within the company. From logistics planning to leading go-to-market strategies, these women play a vital role in our success.

Alison Ladkin – Head of GTM (MDA )

“My name is Alison Ladkin, and I have had the privilege of working at Hisense UK for nearly a decade. Throughout my journey with Hisense, the company has shown unwavering support for my career development. I was not only the first woman to join the MDA Sales team but also the first to advance my career to lead and grow the team to the success we see today. This journey has not been without its challenges, but the incredible women I have worked with—from my early days as a junior Account Manager to the present as Head of GTM MDA —have empowered me to succeed through their exceptional support and mentorship.

The encouragement and guidance from other women leaders throughout my career provided me with a strong foundation at Hisense. This has enabled me to support and mentor our growing team, which includes some exceptionally talented women who I am confident will become leaders in their fields.

Celebrating International Women's Day is an opportunity to acknowledge the incredible strength required to navigate the complexities of balancing family life with a fulfilling career. It is a day to recognise and honour the remarkable contributions of women everywhere.”

Debbie Brown - Senior Logistics Planner

“My name is Debbie, I have 2 daughters aged 28 and 31 and expecting my first Grandchild in April. I have 2 labradoodle dogs aged 15 and 16. Me and the dogs love going out in the caravan. I tow it myself! GIRLPOWER!

I also help my elderly parents who are 85 and have just celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary (what a milestone!), I have worked full time since leaving school at 16 and had just 3 months off for maternity for each of them. Running a house, looking after 2 children and working full time is no mean feat I can tell you!

I started with Hisense in 2017, I’m the Senior Logistics Planner, responsible for overseeing and assisting 9 logistics planners with ensuring supply of orders to customers.

I was lucky enough to be promoted to Senior Logistics planner back in September 2018 after being with the company just 15 months.

There is no judging me and I can see they are an equal opportunities employer. It also shows me that they don’t discriminate with age, and I can work and learn just as good as a young person who has been to university.”

Stephanie Wilkes - National Account Manager

“My name is Steph and I’m a busy working Mum! I’ve got 2 very active boys at home- Arthur (8) and George (5). I’ve been working for Hisense for 3 years and my current role is a National Account Manager. When I first started working for Hisense I started off in a full-time position. This was a huge change for me (as well as my family), as I’d come from a part-time role working 3 days per week which I’d opted for when I returned to work after my first maternity leave. But as the boys were growing up, I was keen to continue my career, and working for a fast-growing company like Hisense seemed such a great opportunity – I couldn’t turn it down!

However a few months into the role and I was finding full-time tough, it was impacting on me and the family. The work- life balance just wasn’t quite right and homelife was suffering as a result. I approached my then Line Manager (Alison Ladkin) who couldn’t have been more supportive. We walked through the options and agreed on a more flexible working arrangement.

My advice to other women is, don’t be afraid to ask for help. If things aren’t working for you, come to the table with suggestions of how things could work better for everyone. Being a working mum is a juggling act- and it’s important that the balance is right to allow everyone to perform their best each day!”

Judith Mottram - Key Account Manager

“My name is Judith, I’m very much a fitness fanatic. Currently training for the Leeds Ironman, which is at the end of July, this is a job in itself with ~12 sessions a week across the two disciplines. I also play hockey for Adel in Leeds, Tennis for Denby Dale ladies, compete in Hyrox competitions and love to go on an annual ski holiday. I enjoy fitness for the physical and mental benefits, but also so I can enjoy chocolate and cake. I also enjoy visiting independent cafes and I have an Instagram account dedicated to my hot chocolate reviews.

I started working with Hisense in November 2024 as a Key Account Manager, supporting and looking to grow the independents in the North.

Throughout my career, I embrace changes and trying new things. I have moved around jobs a fair bit, to find new challenges and develop my skillset. I have made lots of new friends along the way and I am finding more of what I like and what I don’t like, on the path to finding my perfect role.

At Hisense, I appreciate the open and collaborative culture, where everyone is valued and supported regardless of hierarchy. When you are working in a comfortable environment, where everyone supports one another, you perform at your best and I feel Hisense offers that space.”

Caoxi He (Chelsea) – Senior HR Manager

“Hi, I’m Caoxi He, though most people know me as Chelsea. I moved to the UK from China in 2016, and outside of work, you’ll usually find me spending time with my family and our two dogs, exploring new travel spots, discovering great food, or enjoying live music whenever I get the chance.

Since joining Hisense UK as an Admin Assistant back in 2016, I’ve grown into my current role as Senior HR Manager, leading an amazing, all-female HR and Admin team. Being part of Hisense’s journey—from a smaller operation to the thriving business we are today—has been incredibly rewarding. I’m especially proud of the positive changes we’ve seen, driven by the talent and hard work of so many people across the business, both men and women. Seeing how much potential and passion there is within our teams inspires me every day and pushes me to keep growing alongside them.

For me, working in HR is about more than processes and policies—it’s about building strong relationships, supporting people to do their best work, and helping to create an environment where everyone can succeed. It’s a real privilege to be part of such a dynamic, supportive, and ambitious team.”

Yingying Xu – HR Business Partner

“Hello, my name is Ying. Outside of work, staying active is a priority for me—I try to exercise as much as possible, I find it to be the best way to relieve stress. I have an energetic young dog, taking him for walks is one of the highlights of my day.

I joined Hisense UK in 2021 as an HR Assistant, and over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to grow into my current role as an HR Business Partner. Being part of an all-female HR and Admin team, led by Chelsea, has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Chelsea is an inspiring leader, and her mentorship and support have played a key role in my professional development. Our team, made up of four lovely ladies is more than just colleagues—we support and learn from each other, creating an environment where we can all thrive.

As I continue my journey at Hisense UK, I’m excited to keep learning, evolving, and contributing to a workplace where women are empowered to lead and succeed.”

As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, we recognise that true inclusion goes beyond just one day—it’s an ongoing commitment. By employing diverse, supportive workplaces, raising awareness of challenges, and taking meaningful action, we can help build a future where every woman feels empowered to achieve her full potential. At Hisense UK, we are proud to stand with the women in our team, the industry, and beyond.