HELEN BALL
Worthing,West Sussex
Summary
Experienced trade union professional with over 15 years' experience across the union, education and charity sectors. Highly skilled in organising, complex case management, employment relations, stakeholder engagement and strategy development. Proven track record of recruiting and developing workplace representatives, leading campaigns, delivering training, managing projects and building effective relationships with members, employers and key stakeholders. Analytical and collaborative, with extensive experience of using data and insight to inform organising strategies and improve outcomes.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work history
Self-employed | Pet Services
2026.01 - 2026.08
Senior Regional Officer
NEU
2018.11 - 2025.08
- Provided expert employment relations and legal advice to members, managing complex casework and securing positive outcomes
- Led implementation of new regional casework management system
- Produced employment law briefings and presentations in conjunction with solicitor team
- Developed and delivered regional casework surgeries, promoting collaborative working and mentoring colleagues
- Designed and delivered bespoke training programmes for representatives, activists and colleagues
- Identified and developed new activists and workplace representatives through workplace organising
- Recruited, trained and developed workplace representatives, contributing to 80% representative density in Guernsey
- Worked with campaigns and political teams to increase member engagement ahead of theElection
- Built productive relationships with employers, members, branch officers and external stakeholders
- Produced and analysed regional statistics to identify trends, informing organising strategy and equality forums
- Organised regional conferences and meetings addressing workload, pay, assessment and Teachers' Pensions
- Used social media, digital organising and phone banking to support campaigns and industrial action
Regional Official
ATL/AMiE
2013.11 - 2018.11
- Managed complex casework and represented members in employment relations matters
- Worked collaboratively with employers and representatives to resolve workplace disputes
- Developed an organising strategy that increased leadership member engagement and branch participation across West Sussex
- Supported branch initiatives in recruitment and retention strategies, enhancing member engagement and succession planning
- Achieved year-on-year increases in attendance at the AMiE Leadership Conference through targeted engagement
- Facilitated training workshops aimed at improving knowledge and performance of team members and CPD programmes for representatives and branch officers
- Delivered training and supported undergraduate recruitment
Organiser / HR Consultant
Unite / NHS
2012.09 - 2013.11
- Provided HR consultancy and organisational guidance to establish a new NHS dermatology administration service
- Developed and implemented recruitment policies and procedures to streamline hiring processes
- Delivered organising initiatives that enhanced member engagement and participation
Internal Impacts & Sustainability Manager
RSPCA
2008.10 - 2012.09
- Developed the RSPCA's first sustainability policy and strategy
- Managed production of RSPCA's Animal Welfare Indicator report, ensuring comprehensive analysis of animal welfare metrics
- Promoted findings to government, local authorities and external stakeholders, influencing policy discussions and awareness
- Collaborated with The Independent, Total Politics and Welsh Government to enhance visibility of animal welfare initiatives
Campaigns Project Manager
RSPCA
2005.06 - 2008.10
- Led national campaigns that increased awareness and support for the Animal Welfare Act
- Introduced RSPCA's first mobile campaigning strategy to broaden outreach and participation
- Developed communication and digital engagement strategies to enhance stakeholder engagement
- Led the domestic abuse service project, working with partner organisations and supporting fundraising opportunities
Education
Diploma in Organising -
TUC Organising Academy, The Manchester College
Interpersonal Mediation Practitioner's Certificate - undefined
UK Mediation
Level 5 Certificate in Leadership and Management - undefined
Institute of Leadership & Management
BA (Hons) Law and Psychology - Law and Psychology
De Montfort University
Skills
- Employment law knowledge
- Project management
- Stakeholder engagement
- Negotiation techniques
- Leadership and management
- Strategic thinking
- Presentation skills
- Diversity awareness
- Positive pressure management
- Behavioural insights
REFERENCES
Available on request
VOLUNTARY WORK
- Union Workers Union, Caseworker, 2026, Present
- Cinnamon Trust, Volunteer Dog Walker/Assessor, 2019, Present
- Unite, RSPCA Branch, Branch Committee Member and Representative, 2009, 2013
Timeline
Self-employed | Pet Services
2026.01 - 2026.08
Senior Regional Officer
NEU
2018.11 - 2025.08
Regional Official
ATL/AMiE
2013.11 - 2018.11
Organiser / HR Consultant
Unite / NHS
2012.09 - 2013.11
Internal Impacts & Sustainability Manager
RSPCA
2008.10 - 2012.09
Campaigns Project Manager
RSPCA
2005.06 - 2008.10
BA (Hons) Law and Psychology - Law and Psychology
De Montfort University
Level 5 Certificate in Leadership and Management - undefined
Institute of Leadership & Management
Interpersonal Mediation Practitioner's Certificate - undefined
UK Mediation
Diploma in Organising -
TUC Organising Academy, The Manchester College