Helen’s profile

Invitations are coming in thick and fast, which is great. I’m looking forward to going to different places, meeting old friends and making new ones – and, of course, helping to put Girlguiding Cymru on the map!  But who exactly is Helen Murdoch?  For those of you who want to know a little more about me, here’s a pic and my profile…

Helen Murdoch

The serious stuff

• Born in Porthcawl, educated at Porthcawl Comprehensive School.
• Graduated from Thames Polytechnic (now University of Greenwich) with an honours degree in International Marketing and completed a Masters in Marketing in 2000 at University of Glamorgan.
• Married to John (for almost 30 years!), they are both well-known and active members of the local community in sunny Porthcawl.
• As well as Guiding, Helen is an active member of Soroptimist International, a worldwide organisation for women, working through service projects to advance human rights and the status of women.
• Is a Chartered Marketer, a Business Leader member of the Marketing Society and is Trustee or adviser for a number of not-for-profit organisations.
• Has worked in marketing internationally and in the UK, initially for Nestle, then spent 10 years in the Beauty and Cosmetics business, moved into the public sector with the Welsh Development Agency and started her own business, a marketing and communications consultancy – H M Marketing Limited – in 1995. (www.HelenMurdochMarketing.com )
• Through her business, Helen works with a wide range of businesses including major blue-chip companies, public sector organisations and small growing businesses. She helps them with creative and innovative ideas to drive their business forward.
• Helen has a passion for marketing and says her aim is simple “I want to help people achieve better results in their business and have fun in the process”.

The Guiding stuff

• Started her Guiding as a Brownie and became sixer of the Pixies. Moved on to Guides as a member of the Swallow Patrol and later joined Central Glamorgan Ranger Unit.
• As a Guide represented Wales at an International camp in Germany; as a Ranger represented Wales on the Ranger Diamond Jubilee Committee in 1977 – and escorted the Union flag at the thanksgiving service at St Paul’s Cathedral.
• Is a Queen’s Guide and achieved her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. “Amazingly my Gold DofE presentation was the day after my (degree) graduation ceremony – two exceptional and unrepeatable days, one at Buckingham Palace and the other at Westminster Hall!”
• Served as PR Adviser for Wales helping to raise the profile of both Guides Cymru and Broneirion.
• Is a Unit Leader (Brown Owl) for 3^rd Newton Brownies in Porthcawl, a unit of 24 girls, 3 leaders and a Young Leader, and a too-long waiting list.
• Invited to serve as President Girlguiding Cymru from October 2009. She was surprised, thrilled and honoured to have this tremendous opportunity to give back to an organisation that has given her so much. Helen sees her role as motivating and inspiring girls and leaders throughout Wales, as well as acting as an ambassador for Girlguiding Cymru to show the wider world what a modern and progressive organisation we are.

The strange-but-true stuff

• Launched the original Pot Noodles product in Germany.
• Was once invited to assist the mole-catcher in the Grampian region of Scotland – this meant walking behind a tractor to collect a bucket full of live worms and feeding them oats laden with strychnine.
• Survived a Force 12 gale at the Welsh Scout Jamboree at Penrhyn Castle, near Bangor.
• Always carries a notepad and pencil, money for a phone and can tie a reef knot behind her head.
• Helen shares her birthday (in March) with Shaka Khan, the singer; Joe Calzaghe, the boxer; and Roger Bannister, the first man to run a mile in less than 4 minutes!

Helen can’t sing, doesn’t box and certainly has never run a mile, let alone in 4 minutes. However as President of Girguiding Cymru she will use her voice, stand her corner and show how Guiding can help you sprint to success.

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