We often talk about maternity leave, paternity leave and returning to work as though they're separate events.

But becoming a parent is an enormous life transition.

Pregnancy, preparing for birth, the birth itself, physical recovery, feeding, sleepless nights, learning how to care for a newborn and navigating a completely new family dynamic all overlap.

And while some families have a huge support network around them, many simply don't.

This is particularly true for families living and working in places like London, where grandparents, siblings and close friends may live hours - or even countries - away.

That's where I think employers have an incredible opportunity.

Meaningful family benefits aren't simply another workplace perk. They're a way to recognise employees as whole people and acknowledge that supporting them through one of the biggest transitions of their lives matters.