WIT conference: work/life balance and 'doing it all'

We delighted to announce the panelists taking part in one of our afternoon sessions at the 2025 Women in Tourism conference. Taking place in the EICC on March 21, this session should be a really interesting discussion and resonate with many working across Scottish tourism.

PANEL DISCUSSION: Work/life balance and ‘doing it all’

Research commissioned by WIT in 2016 showed that for many working within Scottish tourism, being a parent or carer were two of the biggest challenges for respondents, with 36% saying it had impacted their career. Of those, 41% said that this was primarily due to challenges around maintaining a work/life balance. This panel will discuss how they balance busy roles with homelife and there will be the opportunity for a Q&A.

Lauren Robertson, Director of Marketing, W Edinburgh

Lauren Robertson is the Director of Marketing at W Edinburgh, bringing nearly two decades of experience in luxury travel, tourism, and hospitality in Scotland. She joined the Executive Team at W Edinburgh during its pre-opening phase in April 2023, playing a pivotal role in the successful launch of Scotland’s first W Hotel and Marriott International’s first luxury property in the region.

Before her tenure at W Edinburgh, Lauren held the position of Associate Director of Marketing at The Balmoral, a Rocco Forte Hotel. Her career also includes roles within the Scottish Government’s communications team, the consumer PR team at comms agency, the BIG Partnership and as a journalist at the Scotsman Publications.

Louise Clelland, Customer Services, The Royal Yacht Britannia

Louise Clelland is a dedicated and accomplished professional with a rich history of entrepreneurship, caregiving, and service. For 13 years (until 2020), Louise owned, managed, and operated Millers64, an award-winning Bed and Breakfast that became renowned for its exceptional hospitality and warm, welcoming atmosphere, attracting guests from near and far and receiving numerous accolades for its outstanding service and attention to detail.

In 2020, Louise made the difficult decision to sell her business to prioritise family, and became her mother’s primary caregiver and for several years, devoted herself to ensuring her mother’s well-being. During this period Louise ensured that she reached out to Care giving support agencies and trained as a mentor to help other people who had become carers. Louise recently transitioned back into the workforce and has taken on a new role as a Retail Assistant with the iconic Royal Yacht Britannia. In this position, Louise continues to excel, bringing her warmth, professionalism, and dedication to one of Scotland’s most celebrated tourist attractions. Louise’s journey reflects her resilience, adaptability, and deep sense of responsibility.

Find out more about the full agenda, and book your tickets for the conference here!