Speakers

Helen is the most dedicated and hardworking manager I have ever had the pleasure of working with. She consistently goes above and beyond in her role, supporting Local Authorities in fulfilling their obligations under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and guiding effective responses during major incidents.

Her commitment was particularly evident during Storm Darragh—after a full day of work, she braved severe weather conditions to represent the Local Authority at the multi-agency coordination centre at Police Headquarters overnight and throughout most of the weekend. Despite not being on call, Helen frequently steps in to support Emergency Planning Officers (EPOs) during incidents, always without complaint and with a positive attitude.

Due to organisational cutbacks, Helen currently juggles the responsibilities of both Manager and Deputy, all while undertaking a Master’s degree in Crisis Management. Despite her demanding workload, she continues to support, guide, and mentor me—helping me grow into a competent and confident EPO. Her flexibility and encouragement have also enabled me to pursue my own higher education journey.

Helen’s dedication to staff wellbeing is unmatched. She regularly carries out welfare checks and post-incident debriefs, even during her annual leave or outside normal hours, ensuring her team feels supported.

She is not only a brilliant manager and mentor but also a true friend. I wholeheartedly nominate Helen as my Unsung Hero—her tireless dedication deserves recognition.