The founder and chief executive of the maternity discrimination charity Pregnant Then Screwed is to step down. 

Joeli Brearley, who set up the charity in 2015 after experiencing pregnancy discrimination, will stand down as chief executive in February but will continue to support the organisation as an ambassador. 

The charity, which tackles maternity discrimination and supports pregnant women and mothers, triumphed in three categories at the Third Sector Awards in 2023. 

This included for its March of the Mummies, which in October 2022 saw 15,000 parents take to the streets in 11 UK cities to call for government reform of childcare, flexible working and parental leave. 

Brearley said she did not yet know what she would do next but planned to co-launch a podcast about raising boys and wanted to continue speaking up for mothers through talks and workshops. 

She said that although the role had “tested me in ways never thought possible”, it had, for the most part, been “incredibly gratifying”. 

Brearley said: “It has been the honour of my life to have founded this organisation and to have grown it from a blog to a hugely successful charity that has helped hundreds of thousands of women, changed laws, won awards and given families hope for the future. 

“My own experience of pregnancy discrimination was brutal, and I wish so much that PTS had existed all those years ago – I know it will continue to give women the sanity-saving support they so desperately need in times of crisis. 

Referring to the March of the Mummies, she said: “That moment when I stood on top of a red bus on Parliament Square to see 10,000 parents shouting and singing for better childcare and parental leave – I will remember that moment until the day I die.”

Sam Smethers, chair of Pregnant Then Screwed, said: “As Pregnant Then Screwed approaches its 10-year anniversary we want to recognise, celebrate and express our huge gratitude to Joeli for all that she has achieved. It has been a phenomenal journey.  

“We are sorry to lose her and she will be a very hard act to follow, but PTS has a talented staff team, a committed board of trustees and the charity has built a powerful wider movement for change.”

The charity has begun the recruitment process for a new chief executive and a spokesperson said it hoped the new postholder would be in place by the time Brearley steps down at the end of February – the charity’s 10th anniversary.