10 In 10: Helen Charlesworth – Force24

Helen Charlesworth, head of people at Leeds-based marketing automation platform Force24, is the latest regional business professional in the hot seat as we give her just 10 minutes to answer our 10 burning questions.

What does a typical working day for you involve?

People – whether it be recruiting, developing, coaching, or supporting great talent. It’s exactly what I love about the job too because no two days are ever the same.

What makes your company special?

It’s one of those cultures that’s hard to define but when you’re in it, you don’t want to be anywhere else. I joined Force24 at the end of 2020 and was so intrigued about a business that had been going for more than 10 years without a recognised people function.

I didn’t really know what to expect but it didn’t take long before I found that I was part of a driven and talented team that can’t do enough for their customers. It’s really refreshing to be part of a thriving workforce that all plays a part in the company’s overall growth.

Do you have any business rules that you swear by?

Our values. These spell out ‘force’ because we’re fearless, we ‘own it’, we’re reliable, collaborative, empowered.

Do you dress up or down for work?

It depends on the situation and where I’m working from. We want people to be comfortable either in the office or at home, so we don’t necessarily set any rules.

What piece of advice would you give your 18-year-old self?

Don’t overthink things too much because it’ll all work out in the end. I think you can often ‘sweat the small stuff’ when you’re younger and want to impress, but when you can take a step back and are able to look at things with a fresh pair of eyes, it can really put everything into perspective.

What’s your favourite Yorkshire venue for an event or team away day?

Rudding Park, in Harrogate. In particular it’s a great space for team away days sessions. After all, when you have fantastic surroundings and food, what more could you want?

How do you prefer to travel for business?

It depends where I’m going. If it’s anything that’s more than an hour in the car, I prefer the train because I feel more prepared and relaxed for the day ahead.

What’s your favourite place in Yorkshire to relax?

Home – I love my home comforts and that has really been a game-changer throughout these challenging times we all face. I can’t tell you how peaceful I feel when I’m cuddled up with my little boy and the dog watching something on the TV!

Where is your favourite place to eat in Yorkshire, and what dish do you recommend?

Rustique in York – I love the mussels!

What do you miss most about Yorkshire when you’re away?

The peace and quiet! There’s something incredibly calming about coming back to the region, I love it.