Meet the team: Assistant to Technical & Sustainability Teams, Helen Clarke

Tell us a bit about yourself

I’m a proud Stoke-on-Trent native through and through. After finishing at Hanley High School, while my friends were heading into banking, I felt drawn toward a secretarial and business studies course at Cauldon College. I’ve always had a flair for languages, having studied French and Spanish at school, so I chose a course that included French. However, I soon realised that without the chance to travel and truly immerse myself in the culture, I didn't quite have the fluency I wanted for a career in linguistics.

Instead, I leaned into my secretarial training and landed a junior role at the British Ceramic Manufacturers Federation. I was only 18 and admittedly a bit nervous, starting with a mix of shorthand, typing, switchboard duties, and the inevitable rounds of tea.

Looking back, the technological shift I’ve witnessed is incredible. I started on a manual typewriter, where you had to strike the keys with real force. We used to type onto stencils that were fitted to an inked drum to produce documents; if you made a mistake, there was no 'delete' key, just a bottle of correcting fluid and a lot of patience! From manual machines to electric typewriters, telex machines, and finally the digital age of laptops, I’ve seen it all. We used to collate mailings by hand across the boardroom table like a military operation. Today, it’s a click of a button, but I still carry that same dedication that I had on day one.

You’ve seen the organisation evolve quite a bit over the years, how has the association changed, and what were its previous names?

It’s certainly been an interesting journey! When I first joined at 18, it was known as the British Ceramic Manufacturers Federation. As the industry and our role within it grew, we evolved to become the British Ceramic Confederation.

Most recently, we underwent a major rebranding to become Ceramics UK. While the names and the branding have changed to reflect the modern industry, the core mission of supporting our members has remained the same. It’s been a privilege to be part of the team through each of those chapters and to see the organisation become the voice it is today.

What’s your role, and what do you enjoy most about it?

In my current role, I provide administrative support across several different departments. Because I work with so many members of the team, the work is incredibly varied, which is exactly what I enjoy most. On any given day, I might be drafting member communications, updating our contact databases, collating statistics, or attending meetings to take minutes. I also love getting out from behind the desk to help coordinate meetings or events. The sheer range of topics we handle means there is always something new to learn, and I find it rewarding to be part of the 'support system' that keeps our collective projects on track.

What does a typical day look like?

The truth is that no two days are ever the same! Because I cover such a wide variety of tasks, my role is constantly evolving. One morning I might be diving into complex administrative planning, and the next, I’m coordinating logistics for an upcoming event or managing various 'bits and pieces' that keep the office running smoothly. I love the variety; it keeps me on my toes and ensures that life at the association is never dull.

Is there a project or moment you’re most proud of?

One of my proudest achievements was helping to co-organise the PRE Congress, a major international conference for the refractory sector. As the UK was the host nation, we took the lead on everything from high-level meeting agendas and hotel logistics to delegate activities. Working closely with Ceramics UK’s Associate Director, Lee, I played a part in ensuring the entire event ran as seamlessly as possible. It was held in Chester that year, and seeing all the moving parts come together for such a successful event was incredibly rewarding.

Because of the success of our previous hosting, I’m looking forward to being involved in supporting the 2027 Congress, which is once again due to be hosted in the UK; this event only comes to the UK once every ten years, as the host country rotates among the member associations, so it’s a significant responsibility and a project I’m very passionate about delivering to the same high standard.

Could you tell us a bit about the Institute of Clayworkers (ICW) Benevolent Fund? Who is it for, and how is the team involved in supporting it?

The charity is officially known as the Institute of Clayworkers Benevolent Fund, and it’s a vital safety net for people within the heavy clay (bricks, roof tiles, pipes) and refractories sectors.

Essentially, it’s a fund designed to support workers and their families during their hardest moments. This might be someone who has been off work long-term due to illness, someone forced to retire early on health grounds, or families facing financial hardship following a bereavement.

The fund is administered through Ceramics UK on behalf of the Institute. It's overseen by a dedicated Committee of Trustees, which includes representatives from across the industry, specifically members from the brick, refractory, roof tile, and pipes sectors of the Ceramics UK Management Committee. It’s a project we are very proud to support, as it provides a real lifeline to the people who make our industry what it is.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?

I’ve always found that just being yourself is the best way to be. In my career, I’ve learned that there’s no such thing as a bad question. I take real pride in what I do, and if my name is on a document or a project, I want it to be right. I’m not afraid to query something if I’m uncertain or if I’ve misread a detail. It’s about following things through to the end and being particular about the quality of my work. I’d always rather ask and learn than pretend and hit a dead end, and I’m lucky to work with a team that is just as supportive of that approach.

What’s your favourite thing about working for Ceramics UK?

What I enjoy most is the sheer variety of the work; it’s impossible to get bored when no two days are ever the same. For a small team, we cover an incredible amount of ground, and I find that diversity really engaging. Beyond the tasks themselves, we have a brilliant team. There’s a real sense of collaboration here, everyone works together so well, and that supportive atmosphere makes coming into work a pleasure.

How would you describe the team in three words?

Hardworking. Versatile. Supportive.

Can you share a fun fact about yourself that might be surprising?

I am actually a massive darts fan. Absolutely love it. Try and watch all the Premier League games, some of the Euro tours, and I've actually attended a live event, which was really good fun. The atmosphere was brilliant.  We’ve just set up a dart board at home, so I’m looking at having a go myself.  There’s a saying - practice makes perfect – I very much doubt that in this instance, but I will definitely have fun trying!

‍Do you have a fun fact about the industry?

Being from Stoke-on-Trent, I love the fact that we sit in the world’s most famous 'Potteries.' A fun bit of trivia is that back in the industry's peak, there were over 4,000 'bottle kilns' dominating the skyline here, can you believe that?