LGBTQ+ Parenting and Adoption: Fred’s Journey at Reckitt and the Power of Inclusive Support

Fred, a Senior Manager in Medical Affairs at Reckitt, shares his experience of becoming a dad through adoption with his husband Geoffrey, and how inclusive policies and flexible working have supported their family. From choosing adoption to navigating parental leave, workplace culture and advice for LGBTQ+ parents and employers, Fred’s story highlights how practical support and understanding at work can help families grow with confidence and joy.

Please tell us a little about yourself and your role at Reckitt.

My name is Fred, I’m French and use he/him pronouns. I’ve lived in the UK for 16 years, which is also where I met my husband, Geoffrey. We married in 2016 and London has been home ever since. I’ve been with Reckitt for 11 years and I’m a Senior Manager in the Medical Affairs team, working within the Intimate Wellness category across brands such as Durex, K-Y and Intima. It’s a space I’m passionate about because it brings together science, wellbeing and real human connection. Outside of work, I’m a dad to a brilliant little boy who keeps life joyful and busy.

Can you share a bit about your parenting journey?

Becoming a dad has always been an important aspiration for me, so when I met my husband Geoffrey, it was a conversation we had early on in our relationship. We both knew that adoption was the right path for us for many reasons, and we chose to adopt through an independent agency. They were incredibly supportive and gave us a strong foundation in understanding what it means to parent a child with an adoption background, including how early life experiences can shape behaviours, emotions and needs.

Many people find the adoption process long and intrusive, and it can be. Approaching it with trust and honesty made a huge difference for us. We realised that the journey strengthened us as partners and helped us grow into the kind of parents we wanted to be.

Geoffrey is British Caribbean, and we were very aware that Black boys are sadly over-represented in the care system. That reality shaped our decision to adopt a Black boy and to offer a loving, stable home where he could thrive and feel deeply rooted in his identity. We adopted our son in 2020. He is the best little boy in the world, brilliant, joyful and full of life. We feel incredibly lucky to be his parents.

How has Reckitt supported you throughout your parenting journey, and what support or policies have made the biggest difference to you?

Reckitt was incredibly supportive throughout my parenting journey. On a personal level, my colleagues and line manager were genuinely positive and excited for us from the moment I shared that we were starting the adoption process. That encouragement made a real difference, especially during a time that can feel emotional and uncertain.

The company’s policies also played a huge role. At the time, Reckitt offered 52 weeks of parental leave, which was essential for us. When you adopt, one of the first questions social workers ask is whether one parent can take a full year off. They see it as a crucial part of helping a child build secure attachment with their new family. Knowing early on that Reckitt made that possible was incredibly reassuring.

When I returned to work, the transition was handled with real care. I was able to come back gradually, starting with three days a week for the first couple of months, then moving to four days. That flexibility allowed me to stay present for my son and made the shift back into work much smoother than a full-time return would have been. I’ve continued working four days a week since, which means I can pick him up early on Fridays and have dedicated papa and son time. It’s something I treasure.

I know not everyone has access to this level of support, and I feel privileged to have had such a positive experience. Reckitt, and my managers and colleagues in particular, have been consistently encouraging, understanding and supportive at every step.

What advice would you give to an LGBTQ+ first-time parent?

Parenting is amazing and the most rewarding thing my husband and I have ever done, but it can also be challenging, just like it is for any parent. You have to give yourself some grace. You won’t be perfect, and you don’t need to be. You simply need to show up, do your best and be willing to learn along the way.

For LGBTQ+ parents, this can feel even more important. Many of us carry an extra layer of pressure, the sense that we need to prove ourselves or that people are watching and judging because of outdated stereotypes or sensationalised stories in the media. It’s easy to feel like you’re under scrutiny. My advice is to stay grounded in your own truth. You are building a loving, stable, joyful family, and that is what matters. Surround yourself with people who support you, and don’t let anyone else’s bias define your confidence as a parent.

What tips would you give to an organisation to ensure its workplace environment is supportive of parents?

One of the most important things an organisation can do is ensure its policies are up to date, clear and easy to navigate. Becoming a first-time parent is already stressful, and the last thing you need is to be digging through complicated documents just to understand what support you’re entitled to.

It’s also essential that HR teams understand the different routes to parenthood, including those that are less traditional. For adoptive parents, there is a significant amount of mandatory training, assessments and meetings before you’re approved, and these sessions rarely happen at weekends or outside working hours. Having flexibility from your employer, and an HR department that recognises and supports these needs, can be a real game changer.

Supportive policies are important, but culture matters just as much. Parents need to feel safe to be honest about their needs, confident that their manager will support them, and reassured that taking leave or working flexibly won’t negatively impact how they’re perceived. When policies and culture work together, organisations create environments where parents feel valued, supported and able to thrive both at home and at work.

Can you share any tips or advice for other LGBTQ+ individuals considering or currently on their journey to parenthood?

For anyone in the LGBTQ+ community considering or starting their journey to parenthood, I’d encourage you to explore every possible route. Adoption can seem daunting when you first start researching it, and the information online can be overwhelming. Attending an information evening run by an adoption agency is a great way to get a clearer, more human understanding of what the process involves. It doesn’t commit you to anything, but it helps you make a genuinely informed decision.

I’d also say, enjoy your life before you dive fully into the journey. Travel, go out, sleep in, all the things that become rare once your little bundle of joy arrives. It’s said jokingly, but it’s true, once you’re a parent, sleep becomes a luxury.

Most importantly, trust that your family will be just as valid, joyful and resilient as any other. LGBTQ+ parents bring so much love, intention and strength to their parenting. Surround yourself with people who uplift you, seek out community where you feel seen, and remember that there is no single right way to build a family, only the way that is right for you.