the ultimate networking event for working parents

BROOD Live – The ultimate personal development & Networking event for working parents

Ready to empower your ambition and connect with your tribe in 2026? BROOD Live brings together working and entrepreneurial parents for a day of honest conversation, practical inspiration, and meaningful networking—all in a supportive, inclusive setting.

BROOD is the UK’s first lifestyle brand dedicated to working parents and parentpreneurs—your definitive destination for motivating, inclusive, and aspirational content. We know the juggle is real, and at BROOD Live, you’ll find a supportive tribe that truly gets it.
Previous years have featured an inspiring line-up of speakers, including:
  • Catherine Tyldesley – Actress, writer, producer, and mum of two, sharing candid insights on balancing career and family.
  • Brooke Vincent – Actress, mum of two, and founder of OhSoB, opening up about the daily circus of parenting and entrepreneurship.
  • Lucy-Jo Hudson – Actress and parent, bringing her perspective on navigating family and a creative career.
  • Jorgie Porter – Actress and mum, sharing her unique journey through parenthood and the spotlight.
  • Mother Pukka (Anna Whitehouse) – Author, broadcaster, and flexible working campaigner, known for her honest take on the realities of work-life balance.
  • Simon Wood – MasterChef winner, restaurateur, and dad of four, on his journey from teenage fatherhood to culinary success.
  • Aaron Branch – Dragons’ Den entrepreneur, social media mogul, and dad of two, with practical advice for business and family life.
  • Oli Dunn – Celebrity chocolatier, TV guest presenter, and dad of one.
  • Sarie Taylor – Physiotherapist, founder of Worldwide Wellbeing, and mum of two, discussing mental health and resilience.
  • Dr Dawn Harper – TV doctor and parenting health advocate.
  • Aaron Willis – Business owner and The Apprentice star.
  • Chemmy Alcott – Olympian & broadcaster, speaking on resilience, high performance, and family-life balance.
  • Michelle Griffith-Robinson – Olympian & coach, focusing on discipline, confidence, and sustainable success at home and work.
  • Kate Ball – Founder of Mini First Aid, sharing her story of scaling a family-focused brand with heart.
  • Lavina Mehta MBE – Wellness coach & fitness advocate, empowering busy families to prioritise health, movement, and wellbeing—making fitness accessible and realistic for parents juggling it all.
Hosted by legendary radio presenter Mike Toolan, BROOD Live is always packed with energy, warmth, and real-life stories.
…and more!

Don’t Miss BROOD Live 2026!

Join us on Friday 8 May 2026 at Menagerie (Manchester Hall), 36 Bridge St, Manchester, for a full day of inspiration and connection:
  • Actionable business insights from VIP guest speakers
  • Honest, motivational stories from real working parents
  • Confidence-building and work-life balance strategies
  • Networking with parentpreneurs who understand your world
  • The exclusive BROOD Live workbook and a special goody bag
  • A full day of refreshments, including breakfast and a two-course lunch
  • VIP after party access
Ticket options: Platinum, Gold, and Silver—each with unique perks.
Book your place now at www.broodlive.com
Ready to be inspired and connect with your tribe? Join us for the next chapter of BROOD Live!

Kate Ball
Kate Ball
Kate Ball
Kate Ball
Kate Ball

BROOD LIVE LONDON (2025)

At our recent BROOD Live London event, guests experienced an inspiring line-up of confirmed speakers who brought a wealth of expertise and energy to the stage. Chemmy Alcott, Olympian and broadcaster, shared her insights on resilience, high performance, and finding balance in family life. Michelle Griffith-Robinson, Olympian and coach, offered practical strategies on discipline, confidence, and achieving sustainable success both at home and at work. Kate Ball, founder of Mini First Aid, recounted her journey of scaling a family-focused brand with heart. Lavina Mehta MBE, wellness coach and fitness advocate, empowered busy families to prioritise health, movement, and wellbeing—making fitness accessible and realistic for parents juggling it all.
Attendees enjoyed honest, actionable talks and real-world strategies that could be applied immediately. The agenda included practical sessions covering time management, financial wellbeing, mindset, and navigating the mental load of modern parenting. The event fostered a welcoming, ego-free community of ambitious mums and dads, providing genuine networking opportunities that helped attendees build meaningful connections.
Culinary highlights were a key part of the day. Guests began their morning with fresh pastries and fruit on arrival, setting a relaxed and sociable tone. At lunch, they chose from starters like Burrata e Pomodoro—burrata from Corato in Puglia with marinated beef tomato carpaccio and fresh basil—or Carpaccio di Manzo, featuring very thinly sliced raw beef with Cipriani dressing, rocket, and Grana Padano shavings. For mains, options included Salmone alla Griglia—fresh grilled salmon with prawns and a pink peppercorn dill sauce—or Risotto Porcini, a creamy risotto with porcini mushrooms and Italian truffle. Side dishes of longstem broccoli sautéed in chilli and garlic, and patate arrosto—sautéed baby new potatoes with rosemary and onions—rounded out the menu.
BROOD Live London last week truly delivered a day of inspiration, connection, and practical support for working parents and parentpreneurs.
Play
BROOD Live

BROOD Live MCR

WHAT A DAY! WHAT A NIGHT! BROOD LIVE MCR 2025 was epic! Thank you to everyone who helped make the day so special and to everyone who joined us—the atmosphere was incredible. Huge thanks to our host @miketoolan; our amazing speakers @lucyjo_hudson @noahsarkfamily @prestfield_wm @olliepiotrowski @themissyporter @sarietaylorcoaching @radiochelsea @scousedads; and to @loubylouclown for a brilliant special guest appearance. Grateful to our sponsors @prestfield_wm @hairmadeeasi @overdresseduk @lipolife_uk, our charity partner @cashforkidsmcr, and the whole team at @innside_by_melia_uk. Shoutout to @littlepersonalisedgiftshop for the balloons, and to @sancarlorestaurants @innside_by_melia_uk @menagerie_restaurant @overdresseduk @georgiebellesboutique for the raffle prizes. And a big thank you to @jaybradley94dj @djjayentertainmentnw for the stage, sound, and lighting. Thank you everyone!
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About BROOD Live
The empowerment of entrepreneurial and working parents runs through the core of BROOD — the UK’s first lifestyle magazine for parents who juggle their careers whilst raising their brood. Since our launch in 2022, we’ve become the definitive destination for motivating, inclusive, relatable, and aspirational lifestyle content for countless parents throughout the UK and beyond. BROOD Live is where that mission comes to life: a full-day experience of inspiring keynotes, practical panels, and meaningful networking designed to help you thrive in business and at home.
BROOD Live

FIND OUT ABOUT THE NEXT BROOD LIVE:

OCTOBER 2024

MORE IMAGES TO FOLLOW

APRIL 2024

Hotel Football, Old Trafford

Brooke Vincent and Cath Tyldesley were amongst the host of guest speakers at BROOD Live who open up about the daily struggles of being a working parent, expressing how hard and lonely it can feel.

Brooke, admitted her house is ‘like a circus’ and how hard she finds the everyday things ‘like just getting everyone ready and out of the house is really hard’ The Actress, Mum of two and Owner of renowned stationary brand OhSoB, said that she felt inspired by the other speakers who had been ‘so open and honest, creating a safe space’ at the event. Brooke admitted that ‘you loose yourself a little bit after having children’

Cath echoed, Brooke’s sentiments stating and that of course she felt guilty at times, but that she felt ready to go back to work both when she had Alfie & Iris, and that she loves her career, as even though she’s a mum, she’s still Cath too. The event was hosted by legendary hits radio presenter and dad of two, Mike Toolan, who could identify with each guest on how hard it can be to juggle family life and a career. The Radio presenter invited Cath Tyldesley’s husband and BROOD co-founder Tom Pitfield to the stage whilst he was talking to the actress, and it wasn’t long before the room exploded with laughter as Tom admitted, ‘Life is easier when Cath is not around!’ ‘She’s like a whirlwind. – My wife is many things but a domestic goddess isn’t one of them!’ Tom looked after the couples 3 month old Daughter and 8 year old son, whilst Cath went to work in Malta for 3 months to film Channel 5’s The Good Ship Murder.

The first BROOD Magazine Live event took place at Hotel Football and guests and celebrities alike have took to social media to shout about their phenomenal experience!

“What an event. @broodmagazine curated something very special today. A room full of parentpreneurs all managing two of the most volatile environments known to the human race. Parenthood and Business.”

Cath Tyldesley

“Incredible day for @broodmagazine #broodlive The most amazing guest speakers.
And Of course the host with the most @miketoolan .
Being in a room filled with other entrepreneurial parents – grafting like mad whilst juggling their Brood was glorious. I felt less alone to be honest. Parenting can feel lonely at times. The support network Brood are building is awesome. Proud to be a small party of something so special 💖💖💖”
@miketoolan Loved hosting the 1st ever @broodmagazine LIVE. An afternoon of inspirational speakers and mental well-being for parents coping with the juggle struggle of kids and full time jobs.

Award Winning Owner of Wood Restaurants and Dad of 4, Simon Wood, was also amongst the guest speakers, sharing his story of how he went from being a teenage dad working at McDonalds, to a Masterchef Winner with a focus on getting a Michelin Star.

Embarrassing Bodies presenter and This Morning Regular Dr Dawn Harper, also attended the event and shared the importance of looking after your health and well-being as a busy parent.

Founded by Mancunians; best selling Author Lolo Stubbs, Photographer Tom Pitfield and Rob Stubbs, BROOD Magazine has created a unique platform for working and entrepreneurial parents to be inspired and share stories of the ups and downs of juggling a career whilst bringing up a family. Highlighted in Dragons Den contestant Aaron Branch’s post on the event.

BROOD LIVE return’s to Manchester this year on Thursday 18th April and will also be held in LONDON on the 17th October. Follow @broodmagazine (or visit www.broodmagazine.com) for further information and dates

BROOD Live Manchester
BROOD Live Manchester

BROOD LIVE MCR 2023

WOW!!! BROOD Live was everything we’D hoped it would be and more!

The messages we are receiving are simply overwhelming, and the vibe in the room was something else! It’s still sinking in for us all, but we are feeling extremely proud right now!

Thank you to our sponsors @ohsobofficial @symproveyourlife @hseofevelyn @hotelfootballuk and to everyone who attended

A huge thank you our AMAZING speakers – @simonjwooduk @drdawnharper @auntiecath17 @sarietaylorcoaching @aaron_branch @oli_the_choc @brookelevivincent @laura_r_wolfe @ricmoylan and @aaronwillisofficial – we couldn’t have done it without you!

To our venue dressers @littlepersonalisedgiftshop @cheshireboothco.ltd 

And an extra special thanks to our incredible host @miketoolan 🙌🏻👏🏼

A great day was had by all, whilst raising over £800 for @cashforkidsmcr
We’ll be hosting a number of other events in the coming months as well as BROOD Live London & Manchester again next year.

Please sign up to our mailing list to hear all about it, dates for the diary are below.

 

Thank you all again,

Love Lolo, Tom & Rob

oh so b

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Interview with Ashley James

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Jorgie Porter and Ollie Piotrowski

Jorgie Porter and Ollie Piotrowski

The couple who have been together since 2020 have been through some heartbreaking times during their time together, including the excruciating loss of their quadruplets, when Jorgie was 14 weeks pregnant in 2021. Fortunately, the heartbreak only strengthened their bond and they have since announced their engagement and welcomed their first child together in November 2022 – the adorable little Forest.

Choosing The Right Hair Care Products For Kids

Choosing The Right Hair Care Products For Kids

Choosing The Right Hair Care products for kidsSelecting the right hair care products for your child is an important task, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Children’s hair is more delicate and sensitive than that of adults, so it requires extra care. With...

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Legoland, Billund, Denmark

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I hate admitting that because I value play so deeply, especially in those precious early years. It’s how our children learn, explore, imagine and build confidence. But as a mum trying to keep a household running and a business growing, it’s not always easy to appreciate those moments.

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Introducing Amanda Marks

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At BROOD, we’re always drawn to stories that celebrate not just professional triumphs, but the heart and humanity behind them. Someone who embodies this spirit perfectly is Chris Billam-Smith—a world-class athlete
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There’s a noticeable shift happening in how families spend their time. It isn’t loud or trend-led, and it’s rarely documented with before-and-after shots. Instead, it’s quieter and slower, rooted in small routines and shared moments. Family gardening is part of that change.

Give the gift of a skill this Christmas 

Christmas is the perfect time to encourage new interests – musical instruments, cooking lessons, language tutoring, or creative workshops can inspire skills that last a lifetime. For children, such gifts spark curiosity and build confidence, while for adults, they provide creative expression and proof that it’s never too late to learn something new.

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Renovating a child’s bedroom can be one of the most rewarding home projects. It’s a space that needs to balance creativity, comfort, and practicality, while also adapting as your child grows

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How to Improve Well Being Through Travel

Travel gives us a much-needed break from daily routines, offering time to recharge away from the stresses of our everyday lives and new perspectives we might not otherwise find by staying at home.

Can exhibition stands really be eco-friendly?

You might not realise it, but the materials used in the manufacture of traditional exhibition stands are often a disaster for the environment.

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How to stay entertained on a road trip The open road offers a distinct sense of freedom, especially when you leave the city behind for the rolling countryside or dramatic coastlines of the UK. However, the initial excitement of setting off can fade after a few hours...

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How to Make Sustainable Living Work for a Busy Family Busy families often worry that green living means more effort, more time and more stress. Sustainability doesn’t have to be a burden, though. With a few practical, easy-to-implement habits, you can build an...

The Best 5 Film Location Agencies In London

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From Parliament to the Premier League: Campaigning for survivors of domestic abuse during this #16DaysOfActivism

Our Head of Social Causes and Sub-Editor Teresa Parker was joined by BROOD Editor-in Chief Lolo Stubbs at an event in Parliament on the 2nd December 2025 to mark ten years of coercive control legislation. Teresa organised the event through her consultancy Teresa Parker Media, in partnership with Hawkins, Laxton & Co, which is run by her former colleagues Clare and Sian.

The kitchen design choices that increase efficiency – and the ones that make cooking more difficult

he kitchen is an indispensable part of any home, even if you only use yours to entertain guests at dinner parties. But if you plan to use your kitchen practically, to cook, bake, and prepare meals, you need to figure out how to make the layout as simple to navigate as possible. It’s easy to get swept up when it comes to design choices, considering how many different trends exist. In fact, interior design trends for kitchens change faster than those for any other area of your home.

Winter renos: The 5 best projects to start now

Winter renos: The 5 best projects to start now Starting major interior renovations in the winter can be a smart strategy. Contractors are often more available, and you get all the messy, disruptive work done long before summer arrives.   Here are five of the best...
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