Helen Dickens join us as Director of People and Culture

Dr Helen Dickens has been appointed as our new Director of People and Culture. Helen brings extensive experience in people and culture leadership across STEM-based and purpose‑driven organisations, with a career built on supporting teams in technical, scientific, and mission‑led environments.

After completing a PhD in Environmental Biology, Helen transitioned into the HR profession, where she has spent her career partnering with scientists, engineers, and specialist teams to build impactful people strategies. Her experience spans the medical devices, pharmaceutical, healthcare and technology sectors, in which she has played a key role in guiding organisations through growth, change, and transformation.

Most recently, Helen served as Head of People and Culture at Parkrun, the global health and wellbeing charity. As Parkrun’s first strategic people lead, she developed global people and volunteer strategies designed to embed purpose, values, and behaviours throughout the organisation.

Commenting on the appointment, Ridha Bentiba, Joint CEO said: “Helen’s experience and values align strongly with who we are as an organisation. Her background in supporting technical and scientific teams, combined with her deep commitment to purpose‑driven work, makes her a fantastic fit for HR Wallingford. As we continue to grow and evolve, Helen will play a vital role in shaping a people and culture strategy that supports our long‑term ambitions and ensures our colleagues thrive.”

Helen also shared: “From the very first conversation, I felt a strong connection with HR Wallingford’s purpose. Helping people live and work sustainably with water is something 
that really matters to me. I was also struck by the passion and commitment of the team; 
it’s clear that people here care deeply about what they do. I’m excited about the opportunity to create a people and culture strategy that not only supports the organisation’s ambitions but also helps colleagues feel valued and inspired every day.”

A Chartered Fellow of the CIPD, Helen is widely recognised as a trusted and collaborative leader who helps organisations bring together purpose, people, and performance.