Following Helen’s nomination as one of Grow Marketing’s Top 100 Influential Women: Exeter. Here is her Q & A as asked by the team at Grow:
Biggest professional achievement to date 

2017 in it’s entirety for King Recruit! I launched a new office, took on two key staff, placed 47 key professionals into jobs and won a number of new clients.

One of the noteworthy personal achievements from the year, is that I made a number of key hires at Director level. One of which was the highest salary and fee on record from my 15 years in recruitment. It was a very proud moment and the ethos/approach I used to secure that has paved the way for similar future successes.

It has cemented my belief that experience counts for a lot in our industry, and our expertise collectively as a business will only keep on getting stronger. We have the foundations for exponential future growth and it’s been really encouraging in this climate especially. Here’s to 2018.

Most profound/life-changing, business moment

Starting King Recruit in late 2015, working from home 3.5 days a week, working  around family life, I wasn’t expecting extensive growth in my first year!

That dramatically changed in August 2016 following an informal meeting with an MD of a fast growing SME.  He invited me to return and pitch to his board on being their exclusive recruitment partner.

I remember the day well, from my car journey to walking into a board room with 8 discerning directors around the table. I felt that I was watching myself from afar. Afterwards, I felt elated with a strong sense that it had gone well, despite my nerves. The next day they confirmed that I’d won the contract!

This news coupled with having a surprise 40th birthday the same weekend was incredible. We have since recruited 50 staff for them and it has undoubtedly defined the future of our business.

Favourite quote

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” Marcel Proust.

This is a quote that meant a lot to me when I was travelling around the world 18-21 years of age. Now it resonates with me in my daily life, as whatever ‘journey’ I am going on, it’s always about how I change and gain new perspective with new experiences, rather than the experiences themselves.

Best life advice ever received

From my Dad: Listen to your intuition – its always right.

Advice for a young woman stepping into the world from school, college or uni 

1) Read, Read and Read some more.

2) As girls/women we seek validation and reassurance. Find your inner confidence and listen to your inner voice and use it to get what you want. Strive for what you want and don’t ask for permission from anyone to do it. Whether that’s your friends, family, colleagues or boss.

Which book has had the greatest influence on your life & why? 

Tools of Titans, Tim Ferriss.

Where do I start? This veritable ‘bible’ is broken down into 3 sections: Healthy, Wealthy and Wise. I bought it because I was simply fascinated by what really are the tactics and habits of world-class performers? The book has transformed the basis for huge ‘habit’ changes in my life in the last year. From meditation, to forming habits like morning priming, to masterful guidance from the likes of Peter Diamandis on going for your moon-shot. The other biggest result is that I have read more books in the last year than I ever have in my life.

Education background

BA Hons in Tourism and Employee Relations: 2:1. Dissertation: Backpacking: Is it a sustainable form of tourism?

Fellow of The Recruitment and Employment Confederation

If you could make one change to the world…… 

To change education for children, teenagers and further education to include: Practical tools for going out into the world, financial management, exploring the impact they could make in their lifetime, thinking bigger, greater physical activity, business based training and work experience for all.

The most influential woman in your life & why? 

It’s every woman out there who has managed to start a business, whilst managing family and personal life as well as putting something back into society and growing themselves as individuals. It’s the woman who is able to balance all of those demands together with being successful in their own right. I salute every woman who is doing that, as it takes tenacity, drive, dedication plus a bit of insanity to spin all of those plates simultaneously whilst inspiring others! Look back and be proud.

What does 2018 hold for you? 

Business: Growth and raising King Recruit’s profile across the Southwest. We’re recruiting two new specialist consultants to join our team.

Professionally: Building my leadership skills and expanding my professional network.

Personal: I’m currently training for the Great Wall of China Marathon in May. I am going ‘dry’ not just for January but the whole 5 months!

Heartfelt belief

We are here for a higher purpose – To Give and to Grow. If we fulfil that higher purpose, we can leave this world without regrets. Giving: As a privileged society, giving is something we can all do to make a difference to the world. Growing: We have the capacity to grow as far as our mind will take us! How exciting is that?