BCC employee celebrates four decades supporting the ceramic industry

The British Ceramic Confederation (BCC) is celebrating a special anniversary as one of its employees marks 40 years supporting the sector.Helen Clarke has seen plenty of changes since she joined the British Ceramic Manufacturers’ Federation (BCMF) aged just 18 in October 1982.A few years later, the BCMF started working with the National Federation of Clay Industries before the two merged to form the BCC, which represents the collective interests of all sectors of the UK ceramic industry.In that time, Helen has seen the organisation grow and develop and has worked under the direction of four Chief Executives, including the current CE Rob Flello.Rob said: “Year after year, Helen has given dedicated and loyal service to UK ceramic businesses through BCC and its predecessor trade body.“We are very grateful to her for her diligence and hard work, and her support for the entire team is greatly valued. We look forward to many more years of her tireless work helping BCC members. Thank you, Helen.”Having started in a junior secretarial role, Helen is now the Assistant to the Technical & Sustainability Teams, working closely with the BCC Technical Director Andrew McDermott, the Industrial & Environmental Policy Manager Lee Brownsword and Energy & Innovation Manager Jon Flitney.Helen said: “Everybody at BCC gets on really well and it is a very supportive team, and I have worked for, and alongside, some really lovely people.“I have seen numerous changes from when I first started, having to transition from manual typewriter to electric then to computer.  But that progress in technology and how we work has helped me to develop as an individual, which has been an enjoyable journey. My role is quite varied, which makes it interesting, and I have grown into it and become accustomed to the work involved, so the role really suits me.”Helen, who has always lived in Stoke-on-Trent, added: “I am proud to work for the BCC because we are here for ceramics, which is a big part of Stoke.”Helen is still friends with one of the ladies she first worked with when she started 40 years ago, and has also worked alongside Sonia Mayer, Office Manager & Assistant to the Chief Executive & SHE Director, for more than 25 years.Helen was presented with a variety of gifts from the BCC, including a ceramic tableware set, a garden bench, some Radley jewellery, and a floral bouquet.BCC President Edward Naylor said: “Helen is an iconic figure within BCC, having made a remarkable contribution to the organisation over her four decades of service.”