Ian Dinwiddy

I was 11 years old when our mum’s multiple sclerosis broke any domestic gender role expectations I might have had as a young teenager in a family of males.

At 33, becoming a dad showed me how challenging the early stages of fatherhood can be – identity change, anxiety and highly charged, mixed emotions, it also demonstrated that work and ‘status’ don’t define a man.

I was 35, in 2012, when 1 year old George Burke’s sudden death, followed 5 days later by the suicide of his dad, my friend, Paul, showed how fragile life can be. The devastation these events caused painfully illustrated the importance of normalising men feeling comfortable talking about their trauma, emotions and anxiety, and crucially, knowing where to turn for crisis support.

Ultimately coaching has shown me a way to help.

The Mission

To help HR leaders support a new generation of dads as they navigate the vital early years of fatherhood. Creating structures and support that facilitate a redefinition of traditional, potentially divisive gender stereotypes around “breadwinning” and “caring”, helping new dads to be the hands-on, active and involved fathers they don’t necessarily remember growing up.

Coaching, mentoring and the creation of confidential spaces is good for dads’ well-being and mental fitness, improves equality at home and at work and redefines, for everyone, what “being committed” looks like in the workplace.

Ultimately the mission is to help men to solve this crucial question:

How To Be A Great Dad, Without Sacrificing A Great Career?

Our Vision – Equal Parental Leave Rights, Enshrined In Law, For All.

We believe that this generation of dads is ready to embrace a new type of working life, one that blends work and family in a way rarely previously experienced by men.

No longer constrained by traditional and divisive gender stereotypes around “breadwinning” and “caring”, these dads are ready to be the hands-on fathers they don’t necessarily remember growing up.

We know that more time spent looking after their children is good for dads’ well-being and mental health, unlocks workplace opportunities for their partners, improves equality at home and redefines, for everyone, what “being committed” looks like in the workplace.

This generation of dads understands that you shouldn’t have to choose between “being a great dad and having a great career”, and with the right support they will drive improved choice for everyone, better mental health outcomes and gender equality at home and at work.

I deliver coaching, presentations and workshops to innovative businesses who put supporting new dads at the heart of their gender equality strategy, recognising the positive impact on equality and well-being of helping dads solve the challenge of “how to be a great dad WITHOUT sacrificing a great career.”

An ex Management consultant, twice a stay at home dad and an English National League hockey umpire, I’m the co-host of 46 episodes of the Lockdown Dads podcast, where we interviewed politicians, PhDs and an international rock star.

I deliver webinars such as

• Why Supporting New Dads At Work Is The Route To Gender Equality.
• The Home Contract – Solving The Second Shift & Mental Load Challenges.
• Why Flexible Working For Fathers Is Good For Everyone.
• How To Balance Work And Fatherhood: Masculinity And Parenting In A Changing World.
• My Story – Lessons In Identity, Equality And Impact.

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“For the busy working dad, Ian’s coaching is the perfect fit. We wear many masks in life; the Professional, the Dad, the Husband, the Brother, the Friend, the decent guy on the street, but so often we are so busy trying to be the right person in the moment that we neglect real self.

Ian helped me to examine who actually lay under my various masks and to explore what I needed to set straight in my life to ensure that the balance was right.

I can’t recommend him enough, he totally gets where you are coming from, and walks the talk in his own life. I really appreciated his empathetic and considered approach in challenging me in our coaching sessions.

I have now reset my goals for the next five years and feel both empowered and excited in achieving them. Thanks Ian”