Hey, I’m Helen.

I offer fractional leadership in operations, client relationships and team wellbeing.

Get in touch

About me

I’ve worked in leadership roles in the creative industries for the past 15 years, often wearing multiple hats to retain and grow key client partnerships, improve agency operations, and develop teams.

Over the last 10 years I’ve specialised in the purpose sector, working with purpose-led agencies and clients including English Heritage, IKEA and Barnardo’s to deliver positive impact for people and planet.

My path has taken me from London to Bristol to Cornwall, where I now live with my family and our beagle Edith and spend as much time as possible in, on, and by the sea.

I co-run B Corp creative agency Leap in a part-time role as Client Partnerships Director alongside the MD and Creative Director.

And for the past two years I’ve supported the founder of human and science-based wellbeing start-up Lovely Messy Humans.

Now working fractionally, I offer practical leadership in operations, client partnerships, and team development to startups and SMEs.

  • ILM-trained business mentor

  • Mental Health First Aider

  • Kerning The Gap mentor

Some of the brilliant organisations I’ve been lucky to work with…

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What I do

    • Help you create practical systems and processes

    • Bring clarity when things feel chaotic or overwhelming

    • Find the balance between structure and flexibility

    • Build stronger, longer-lasting client relationships

    • Develop retention strategies and account growth approaches

    • Navigate tricky client conversations and manage expectations

    • Support your managers to grow into their leadership roles

    • Help create team cultures where people can do their best work

    • Bring practical Mental Health First Aid training alongside leadership experience

    • Provide practical support for early-stage founders

    • Help you figure out operations, client approach, and team basics

    • Ask questions that help you make clearer decisions

    • One-to-one support for founders, leaders, and professionals

    • A sounding board for decisions, transitions, and growth challenges

    • ILM-trained business mentor and member of the Association of Business Mentors

Get in touch

Kind words

  • Kerning the Gap mentee

    "Helen mentored me during the 2023 Kerning the Gap mentoring programme, which aims to empower and grow confidence and leadership skills for women in the design industry. Helen created a space where I felt supported and heard, with her incredible ability to listen and guide with both empathy and insight. 

    Helen is empathetic and her sincerity helped me gain the confidence to stretch beyond my comfort zone and tackle challenges that I had found daunting. Through her guidance, I felt capable and valued. I was able to grow professionally, but also personally, having learned to lean into trusting my own judgement and voice. 

    I’m very grateful for her mentorship and I would highly recommend her to anyone seeking a thoughtful and empowering guide."

    Charlotte Davis, Design Consultant, Kinneir Dufort

Get in Touch!

hello@helenjohnston.work

Drop me an email