In our latest instalment of the Inspiring Leaders series, we spoke to Lynda Forde, Project and Transformation Lead Manager, who discusses how becoming a single mum at 21 forced her to become a very successful leader. 

Family Foundations & Early Lessons 

When people ask me about my family or what I was like as a child, I’m always honest – it’s the best place to start any leadership journey. I grew up in Hamilton, just south of Glasgow, with my mum, dad, and my older sister. We were all quite close, and that bond has seen us through a lot. Things changed when mum and dad separated; I was only eight and my sister was ten. I won’t sugarcoat it – my sister and I went a bit off the rails after that. School fell by the wayside for a while, and discipline at home was a bit lacking, simply because mum was trying her absolute best to hold everything together. 

But even in that chaos, I found my own circles of friends. One I’ve known since I was three, and two others I met at secondary school. To this day, these three friends are my rocks. Life taught me early on about the power of relationships and having a strong support network. 

Discovering My Strengths (and Weaknesses) 

Despite the ups and downs, I always found comfort in numbers and science. Maths was my safe space as it’s logical and factual, while my sister loved the creative arts. I guess you could say I was the more academic type.  

Outside of school, I loved ice skating in Hamilton every Saturday. My dad was a figure skater and he was always the one who encouraged me. I never became a star on the ice, but I could go forward and backwards, do the odd one-legged twirl, and not fall over! These Saturdays with friends taught me about perseverance—and a little bit about bouncing back when things don’t go perfectly (like when my poor sister broke her arm). 

Working Hard and Starting Young 

I left school at 16, with average grades, and went straight into a Youth Training Scheme. That’s where I learned the basics of business—petty cash tins, hard-copy files, even writing cheques. My first employer was Modern Security Systems, and my job as a mailroom clerk was hardly glamorous, but I loved sorting out chaos. After four short weeks, they handed me a £100 cheque (when I was only earning £29.50 a week!) It felt like winning the lottery and was an early lesson in how hard work gets noticed. 

That little bit of encouragement kept me moving. I went from mailroom, to service admin, to sales admin, to a new opportunity at Chubb when my former manager reached out. The value of keeping good relationships has always paid off in my career. 

Becoming a Single Mum at 21 

Then, at 21, my real journey began—I became a mother. Not just a mother, but a single mother for most of my daughter’s childhood. I didn’t know any different, so I just got stuck in. I came back to work full time, determined to build a comfortable life for us both. There weren’t many childcare options back then—I relied on my family and friends to help with looking after my daughter, and I’m forever grateful for that support network. 

Being a single mum shaped who I am today. It made me stronger, more resilient, and gave me a fierce determination to succeed, both for myself and my daughter. She’s now a biology teacher—with a work ethic of her own, starting her first “job” selling Avon door-to-door aged just 10! I’m proud to say that hard work runs in the family. 

Learning Through Experience (and Failure!) 

Throughout my early jobs, wrapping fish and chips at the chip shop (badly), working behind the bar at the local social club, I learned more about people than anything else. How to talk, really listen, and connect. I’ve always managed to make friends wherever I go, and that’s been a constant support. 

As I progressed at Chubb, I made a point of never standing still. I learned every job in my admin team; when my supervisor was off, I was the go-to person. Eventually, I moved into business process analysis in the head office, working on major projects. It was my own ambition, and lessons as a single mum, that pushed me to keep growing. And I am now proud to say that I have moved from working in admin and other various roles within Chubb for the past 30 years to being the Regional Director for Scotland as of January 2026- proof that hard work and commitment do pay off.  

Evolving Leadership: Transformational Change 

One thing that excites me about my current role at Chubb is how much the company has evolved. I’ve seen it all: from a culture of blame where mistakes were punished, to one where we learn, adapt, and move forward together. Leadership now is about empowering people, not just managing numbers. I’m proud to say I’ve played a part in that change. 

I’ve had brilliant support and inspiration along the way—managers like Andrew Layland and Sue Dean, who taught me to approach situations with openness rather than defensiveness. Sue remains a massive influence, always giving feedback that helps me grow. 

Leadership, for me, is transformational: I empower my teams to make decisions, challenge themselves, and grow just as I did. I invest in their development, and encourage them to bring ideas forward and drive change.  

Continuous Learning & Staying True 

I truly believe in never standing still. I’m always seeking feedback, whether it’s through formal development like Leadership Edge and Leader Labs, or honest conversations with those around me. These have helped me examine my own habits. These days, if I don’t know the answer to a question straight away, I’m not afraid to say I’ll get back to you, a huge shift from my younger self, who thought I had to have all the answers. 

My Leadership Advice 

The most important thing I’ve learned: Stay close to your people. Regular check-ins shouldn’t be about work alone; find out how your team members are, what makes them tick, and what motivates them. Great leaders are approachable, open, and know their people as individuals, not just job titles. 

If you want to be a great leader, appreciate and acknowledge your team’s efforts. Be their advocate. And never stop looking for ways to empower and encourage them. 

Reflections 

Being a single mum at 21 was never part of my “plan” but it’s made me the leader I am today. It taught me the true value of support, resilience, and listening, a combination I use every single day with my teams. 

Everyone’s journey is different, but if mine proves anything, it’s this: your circumstances don’t dictate your ceiling. Stay curious, stay grateful, and always invest in others as much as you invest in yourself.