Before joining the Higher Education Academy in April 2005 as Associate Director, Helen worked substantively in three Universities in a variety of roles both discipline based, Dean of School (English Language Education) at Thames Valley University, and cross-institutional role, Chief Academic Auditor at King’s College, London and Assistant Registrar at the University of York. Concurrently she was a QAA contract reviewer for six years.

As Assistant Director and now Head of Teacher Excellence at the Academy, Helen has a leading role in the professionalisation of teaching which includes the UK Professional Standards Framework, the accreditation of professional development, the Academy’s professional recognition scheme, the National Teaching Fellowship Scheme, Student-Led Teaching Awards and reward and recognition. Before working in UK HE she worked for the British Council in the UK and overseas principally in developing capacity in teaching education particularly for English language