Season Two – Episode 11

Fathers, Flexibility and Equality: What We Can Learn from Norway

In this episode of CPO Talk, Helen Letchfield, co-founder of Parent and Professional, is joined by Tove Selnes, Chief People Officer at ⁠Storebrand, to explore what it really takes to support employees through parental transition and create a culture where becoming a parent doesn’t mean putting your career on hold. Drawing on her own experience as a working parent, Tove shares how family role models, shared parental leave and supportive leaders have shaped her career. She explains why encouraging fathers to take an active role in caring from the very beginning can help create greater equality at home and at work – while recognising that there is still more progress to be made.

She discusses the importance of visible role models, trust and what Storebrand calls “coordinated flexibility” — balancing the needs of individuals and families with those of teams and the business. Together, they explore the business case for supporting working parents, including retention, engagement, leadership pipelines and long-term loyalty, and the practical steps organisations can take.