CIM appoints Helen Hepworth FCIM as Vice Chair Education on the Yorkshire Regional Board
The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) is pleased to announce the appointment of Helen Hepworth as their new Vice-Chair Education on the Yorkshire Regional Board. Helen will continue to strengthen ties with local universities, promoting careers in marketing, CIM qualifications and membership to both undergraduate and postgraduate students across the region.
Helen Hepworth, Founder of Collective Stories is a storyteller, just not in the ‘Once upon a time’ sense. In 2019, after a 20 (plus!) year career working with multinational FMCG suppliers and some of the largest retailers in the world Helen founded Collective Stories, an FMCG Category Management Consultancy.
Using her insight, creative storytelling and commercial skills, Helen built Collective Stories from the ground up to help FMCG suppliers craft the right story to achieve and maintain listings in UK retailers. First to admit it, Helen rejects blandness and loves a great metaphor. Octopus in a shopping bag, dog in a disco, have all been used to bring strategic stories to life.
After successfully completing a BA in International Business Studies and French, Helen worked for Agence Publicis in Lyon, France. Upon returning to the UK, Helen began a long and varied career working within private label health and beauty as a supplier to some of the biggest retailers in the UK. Taking advantage of one of the many benefits of working for an SME, Helen worked in many functions including new product development, technical, until finally developing a passion for Shopper Insight and Category Management. After another decade in senior category and commercial roles, for businesses like Symington’s and Hallmark Cards, Helen decided to pivot her story and use her insight, marketing and commercial skills to set up Collective Stories.
Helen is a CIM Fellow and completed her CIM postgraduate diploma in 2003. As a practising CIM member and now Vice-Chair for education in Yorkshire, Helen is dedicated to driving Education partnerships and being clear about how CIM can help students and graduates to develop and drive successful careers in Marketing.
Helen commented, “I am delighted to be joining the Yorkshire Board and continuing my work with CIM and the wider student community. I am truly passionate about FMCG retail and the opportunities available for graduates in this industry. Through mentoring partnerships and part-time teaching at Leeds Beckett University and through my new Vice-Chair Education role, I am keen to support those considering a marketing career in the FMCG industry.”
Claire Pryke, Chair of the CIM Yorkshire Board, said “We are very pleased to welcome Helen to the Board to focus on driving engagement across Yorkshire with our talented student community. This is a vital role for our vibrant region and with the Covid-climate it has been more important than ever to engage and inspire the next generation of marketers about the world of possibilities available to them. “
Keep up to date with the various events and activities that CIM Yorkshire and the wider northern boards are delivering by joining the CIM North Linkedin Comunity Page here.
