Helen Toogood

Helen has a strong understanding of what she really wants from life:

"To be the best Mother, Wife, Friend and Role Model to those I care about".

Helen started her own company Hot Chilli to bring together people who care and have passion for the value IT can bring to society.

Helen's last Corporate Role was in Unilever as Vice President of New Ways of Working. She was part of the IT Leadership Team and had an active role in the development of Senior Women. It involved the Change for IT in how they worked differently with the rest of the Unilever Business. The aim was always to "bridge the gap" between business and IT, so that everyone understands the advantages and implications of IT in achieving business goals, as we "future proof" businesses.

Prior to Unilever, Helen worked in IBM as an Account Manager, the first 6 years being in South Africa.

The start of Helen's career was in the Hospitality and Travel Industry. This was where she developed her passion and expertise in excellent Service and Customer Care. It also inspired her passion to travel. Helen has worked on every continent and in most parts of the world.

Helen strongly believes in mentoring and coaching to encourage changes in perspectives and behaviours and has been actively involved in the Tower Hamlets School for Girls Mentoring programme, Computer Clubs for Girls, as well as various individual mentoring relationships.