Helen Briggs
I am Helen Briggs 42, married, no children. I am Welsh and very proud of it. Having grown up on the beautiful Gower Peninsular and spent three years at Cardiff University I was lured away to Yorkshire by my future husband.
I started work with Doncaster MBC in 1986 as a clerical assistant with no real career plan. I was offered the opportunity to study for CIPFA supported by the Council and jumped at the chance.
Once qualified (1990) I had a different job every three years all at Doncaster:-
Housing Accountant – learning how to put theory into practice
Capital Accountant – implementing new accounting procedures
CCT Officer – preparing a range of in-house services for competition
Local Taxation Services Manager – time for some operational experience
Head of Service for Community First – a real change implementing a whole new service delivery mechanism. Neighbourhood Service delivery for grounds maintenance, waste management and cleansing, community safety and general community engagement and management.
Community Director (Stronger Safer and Sustainable Communities) – a radical restructure the Council built on the Community First model and added to the number of services delivered at Neighbourhood level. I was responsible for the Urban Centre (budget £80m and 1,500 staff) and all services including Social Services and Education.
I have based my career on always looking for a new challenge and embracing change at every opportunity (when it makes sense). When I started female accountants were thin on the ground but I have really seen that change. What is really rare in local government is females managing front line services like grounds maintenance and street cleansing.
My experience is that earning respect to enable you to do that comes from really engaging with staff teams at the front line, learning from those who do the job – and of course knowing your stuff. However the general principles of good management apply everywhere – if you are a good manager you can manage almost anything.
I have been fortunate to work with some truly excellent teams and leaders but have also learnt a lot from some poor ones. That’s what shapes your style!
I am passionate about the Customer – because that is why we are here and all too often that is forgotten. So I enjoy roles that maintain contact with the customer.
I have been Chief Executive at Rutland for 5 weeks as I write this. When I am not working I am usually out cycling.