"I am thrilled to be part of the Q Awards judging panel which actively highlights women in the food industry, because visibility drives progress. We are in a time where women are showing up as true disruptors and creating first to market and exceptional quality products we now can’t live without, and we should rightly celebrate this. Women have always shaped how food is grown, made, and consumed, yet their innovation has often gone unrecognised in the past. By celebrating women at the Q Awards, we are not only correcting that imbalance, we are setting a powerful signal about the future of our industry. Recognition unlocks confidence, investment, and opportunity, and it inspires the next generation of women to lead, innovate, and scale bold ideas."
Helena has worked over three decades in food and drink development and manufacturing for companies including Marks & Spencer, Greencore, Domino’s and now Sainsbury’s.
She has been responsible for market-leading product ranges and innovation across a broad spread of categories and is a previous Gold Q award winner. Helena has in-depth experience of prepared foods for both in and out the home, with expert knowledge across both health and ethnic foods. She has also worked on the manufacturing side, giving her a truly holistic understanding of the end-to-end process of bringing a product proposition to market. Additionally, Helena has worked as a Product Development Consultant in the drinks sector including the no and low category and the foodservice industry with Domino’s, and on the team of panelists for F&D Reviews. As a core team member of Sainsbury’s DEI team, Helena is a strong promoter of diversity and a believer that inclusivity in the industry results in better food, stronger businesses, and a more resilient food system for everyone.
