1. 1
Helen Armitage-Calvert
7 The Old Chapel, Chapel Close, Skelmanthorpe, Huddersfield, HD8 9AT
M. 07518471859 -T. 01484 866022 - E-mail helen632@btinternet.com
PERSONAL SUMMARY
Helen has over 17 years experience in building materials and the supply sector of the construction
and infrastructure industries. A business development /sales manager who is self- motivated,
competitive, resourceful and goal-orientated. Proven ability to develop, strengthen and empower
management teams in order to maximize company profitability and efficiency. Having entrepreneurial
characteristics and experience to lead and grow all aspects of a business. Excellent communications
skills and is able to establish long term and profitable relationships with customers and suppliers built
upon quality of output and trust. Helen is someone you have to meet in person to fully appreciate her
skills and experiences.
KEY SKILLS & COMPETENCIES
Business development. Communication. Sales management. B2B sales. Client retention,
Relationships. Product development. Industry knowledge. Project management. Strategic planning.
Implementing polices. Strong diary management. Campaign building. Marketing initiatives.
PERSONAL SKILLS
A can do mentality, Commercial acumen, Team player, Ability to Empower/ Delegate, Decisive,
Honest, Loyal, Smart, Organised and an excellent listener.
PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE / EXPERIENCE
No Dig Technology ( localized repairs ) Storm Water /Surface Water Management
Back Water Protection and Manhole Rehabilitation.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
Successful product re-launch; - Helen joined one year after an under performing product
launch and as the business development manager she analysed, and quickly took action
managing the re-launch. As a result sales dramatically increased from £50k in 2002 up to
£1.4 million in 2013.
Achieving a high profile product specification with the transport for London. Resulting in
minimum sales of approximately £100k per annum.
Helen secured product approval from WRc (Water research centre) with a major national
drainage contractor for the installation of a product range under her responsibility with
guaranteed minimum sales of approximately £250k per annum).
Sole responsibility of the organisation planning and execution of a royal visit by the patron of
the institute of export, HRH the Duke of Kent. This was probably the most exciting and
challenging experience of Helen’s career. The event involved numerous meetings with the
Dukes Equerry, and MI5 as security was incredibly high. The event was an outright success
and a fantastic moral boast for staff all of which were involved from the MD to the shop floor.
Project managed the introduction of a CRM system. (Project Sales Achiever) which drove
acquisitions of new customers, drove efficiency with in the firm and via improved data helped
to uncover new revenue opportunities.
Part of the senior management team responsible for the development of Source One
Environmental Ltd in 2006, a division of the business to market a range of specialist drainage
repair solutions. This was probably the most exciting and rewarding experience of Helen’s
career.
Helen achieved some unusual wins for a number of high profile corporate hospitality events to
entertain customers and suppliers from around the world , ranging from the typical rugby,
cricket, horse racing and football events to ;- driving tanks, shooting ;- golfing at the K Club in
Ireland ;- arrange an itinerary for customers to go on tour with the Red Hot Chili Peppers and
join them back stage ;- entertaining a Japanese party to afternoon tea while visiting Barnsley
;- and arranging for an Indian customer to see snow for the very first time whilst visiting us in
July.
2. 2
SYSTEM SKILLS
Qlikview: - Identifies sales trends and opportunities.
CRM:-Project Sales Achiever-Customer relationship management system.
Glenigans: - Project leads and contacts. Sage:–Line 500:- Order entry system- Stock management.
Outlook, Microsoft Word, Power Point Excel and Smart Draw,
INDUSTRY TRAINING
Power Talking USA. Xel Training – Wigan (2004 – 2011) Presentation Skills, Introduction to Finance
and Marketing. Edward De Bono Six Thinking Hats – Instructor 2006. Transporting Dangerous
Goods & Export Course – ITOPS 2013.
CAREER OVERVIEW
2015 – Present :- Self Employed Business Development Consultant
Working with two clients with in the drainage industry – while also looking for new and permanent
opportunities.
2014- 2015:- RSM Lining Supplies Global Limited - Doncaster
One year contract to development and launch a new brand called “Pipe Aid”
Sourcing products, materials and new suppliers for the new brand of a No Dig Pipe repair solution.
Liaise with marketing and 3
rd
party testing providers for testing and approvals with a particular
emphasis promoting the companies brand and reputation within the industry to its customers and
suppliers.
DUTIES/ RESPONSIBILITIES/ACHIEVEMENTS
New supplier’s agreement, products, raw materials and packaging for the new brand reducing
initial estimated cost by 30%.
Submitted and managed the industry recognized 10,000 hour WRc approval for the new
brand.
Organized a trade day at RSM as a platform for the launch of the new Pipe Aid brand. The
event took place on the 9
th
July 2015, it was a great success with 150 clients and 10 suppliers
exhibiting followed by an evening event on a show boat. This event was featured in the
industry trade magazine “The Drain Trader”.
Proactively generating sales leads, secured existing market share and creating marketing
material to support the sales team.
Pipe Aid is now fully launched and being supplied into the market place making up 18% of
RSM’s turnover of approximately £7 million per annum.
Manage the application and approval for Energy & Utilities provider status and training
provider.
2003- 2014:- Business Development Manager
Flexseal Ltd / Source One Environmental Ltd - Doncaster
Flexseal had a goal to turn the UK £7.5 million company into a £20 million company by 2015. Helen
was part of the management team involved in the formation of Source One Environmental Ltd in
2006, marketing a range of specialist repair solutions. By 2014 Source One UK had a turnover of £4
million with a group turnover for S1E and Flexseal’s of £23 million.
Developing new products, clients and existing customer database. Proactively generating sales leads
and market information to support the external sales team throughout the UK, Europe and Australia.
Particular emphasis on sales & business development.
DUTIES/ RESPONSIBILITIES/ACHIEVEMENTS
Promoting the companies brand and reputation within the industry to its customers and
suppliers.
Business development with key accounts in the UK & Internationally.
High quality service to clients, building long term relationships.
Part of the product development team.
Developing business plans, proactive telesales campaigns, delivering presentations and
business reports.
3. 3
Promoting the “Skills Center” training courses and offering the only training course in the UK
to offer a realistic live environment for the repair of drainage systems.
Working closely with marketing on sales campaigns, exhibitions, literature, web sites and
packaging. Helen was responsible for the UK marketing department and as part of this she
was involved with the global marketing team working with the owners in the USA to achieve
the world wide company profile still used to this day.
Managing the companies CRM (customer relationship management) system, Project Sales
Achiever, throughout S1E and Flexseal Ltd in the UK and Germany.
Leading, motivating and developing the internal sales office team in proactive sales and
marketing campaigns. PRD reviews (personal review description) identifying training needs,
mentoring and coaching colleagues.
Maintained links with trade and professional associations –
1998-2003:- Sales Support Manager – Sheffield
Hepworth Building Products Ltd – Sheffield. Career move to Flexseal
Helen joined the customer service team at Hepworth covering maternity leave, this involved order
processing, customer service, answering the telephone. She joined Hepworth on a permanent
contract and worked her way to becoming the sales support manager for a team of 5 proactive
internal sales operatives. B2B Selling into the builder’s merchants market by managing internal
telesales campaigns and providing sales leads to the external area sales managers and specification
team to progress.
DUTIES/ RESPONSIBILITIES/ACHIEVEMENTS
Leading, motivating and developing the 5 internal sales team members in proactive sales and
marketing campaigns. PRD reviews (personal review description) identifying training needs,
mentoring and coaching colleagues.
Developing business plans, proactive sales campaigns, delivering presentations and business
reports.
Managing and working with the companies CRM system throughout team.
1994-1998:- Owner / Fashion Designer, Helen Everest Designs.
Career move to Hepworth.
Created her own designs and hand painted them on to garments for resell (B2C).
1987-1994:- Full time mother. At home with two rather splendid boys.
1985-1986:- Children’s Nanny, Monte Carlo. Responsible for a 3 year old.
1982–1984:- Accounts Administrator, Brooke Tavener Ltd, Huddersfield.
Business closed down/redundancy.
1978-1982:- Office Junior, Beaumont Warehouse Ltd, Huddersfield.
Career Move to Brook Tavener Ltd.
PERSONAL DETAILS:- Clean Driving License: Nationality: British.
INTERESTS:-Arts and Crafts. Cooking. Dinner parties / entertaining. Walking Michael our dog.
Refurbishing/recycling old furniture.
REFERENCES:-Both personal and professional available on request.