Testimonials

“I love Helen’s enthusiasm and passion – she really is a ‘cup half full’ person. When I was given the task of recruiting mentors for the Help to Grow programme, Helen was the first person I thought of. She meets the criteria - 100%!”

— Ann Mulhaney, Manchester Metropolitan University, Centre for Enterprise

“Our conversations are so relaxed and honest. Helen has helped me to develop our business in ways I would never have thought of, nor had the confidence to do. Helen’s passion for the development of others shines through in everything she does. Her positivity, experience and support has certainly made a massive difference to my mindset and our family business.”

— J.L. Director, Construction Services Company, Lancashire

“Helen has built a global business that is an example to all SME exporters – and also those who, yet to take the plunge, are seeking advice and guidance. Helen provides that in spades and more. She is a real business leader. It is a pleasure and an ongoing education to know her.”

— Phil McCabe, Merseyside and Cheshire Development Manager, Federation of Small Businesses

 “As one of the first delegates on the Help to Grow programme, and having the pleasure of having Helen as my mentor, I can’t recommend her highly enough. Helen guided and mentored me through some tricky decisions in my own professional development. I would look forward to my time with Helen each week - not only for her to act as my “shrink” (laughing), but for her valuable feedback and genuine interest in me, personally, and the business I work for. #mentor #winner”

— J.F. Operations Director, North West Manufacturer

“It was Helen’s infectious enthusiasm that prompted me to nominate Helen to be recognised as one of our Northern Powerhouse Export Champions, a prestigious group of like-minded business people who use their influence, knowledge and – that word again – enthusiasm to encourage other companies and individuals to grow through exporting.”

— Veronica Dawson, UK Department for International Trade

 “Helen has been a massive inspiration to me. I learnt a great deal from Helen during my time at Hydraulics Online, which I greatly value. It gave me exactly what I needed to start my career and helped me get a first in the unit which my placement with Hydraulics Online was part of.”

— Artur Stasiak, Manchester Metropolitan University Graduate

“Helen is my mentor, and what a brilliant mentor she is. My growth is on track and I cannot thank her enough. Great input and ideas.”

— J.B. Managing Director, Stockport

 “Helen has been a valued mentor and advisory board member for our family businesses over the last two years. Her passion, input, understanding and empathy have helped to ensure that for every conversation or meeting she is involved with, there has always been a positive impact to the individuals personally and their business.”

— Sue Howarth & Dave Clarkson, The Family Business Network

“We work with hundreds of SMEs. As such, we have the benefit of experiencing business leads from all shapes and sizes of firms. Occasionally we work with someone who really excites us with their vision, energy and strategic clarity. Helen is one of those rare individuals.”

— Jane Jones, Enterprise Fellow, Manchester Metropolitan University

  “Helen was the person I approached first to help develop a programme to encourage entrepreneurship through business studies. Helen immediately understood the need for this project and helped me to sense-check the concept ready to take to the pilot schools. Without her input, this project would have struggled to get off the ground.”

— Tony McCafferty, Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub

“Helen helped me to develop an effective plan to grow our family property business. She proposed useful ideas to automate our processes, to implement the necessary tools and achieve our goals and gave me great suggestions to improve the quality of our operations and prepare for ISO 9001 quality management certification. She is a fantastic human and super mentor with great experience.”

— N.A. Managing Director, Property Investment Company, Manchester

“I’ve found myself consistently and constantly surprised by Helen – because she is always working on her leadership skills and her business while finding time to help others. Every interaction with her reminds me that it is important to work on myself and the community around me.”

— Shanni Elcock, Be the Business

“Combining her inspirational entrepreneurial journey with down-to-earth practical and operational detail and clarity of vision makes Helen a fantastic role model for our students, especially for female students who are looking to flourish in historically male-oriented professions and industries. Her empathetic approach and precise questioning encourage students to stand back, reflect and find new perspectives to the challenges they face at each stage of their entrepreneurial journey.”

— David Taylor, Principal Lecturer in Entrepreneurship, Manchester Metropolitan University 

 “Helen is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable leaders I have come across. She is constantly striving to develop her own skills and improve her own business – yet she is always happy to give her time, support and knowledge to help others. The first time I met Helen was when she attended our team away day. She absolutely inspired everybody in that room that day and she has continued to do it every time our paths have crossed. Helen has the most amazing ability to encourage small business leaders to tackle their challenges. She does it by sharing her own authentic experience, hopes and fears and, by doing so, she creates a safe space for sharing and learning.”

— Sheena McDermott, Be the Business