Helen Kitchen
Associate Communications Consultant, Talent Architects
Helen Kitchen represents Talent Architects, a consultancy helping schools become great places to work. She brings over two decades of corporate PR, branding, and communications expertise to the education sector, focusing on how trusts attract and retain staff. Prior to her current role, Helen spent two decades managing corporate reputations across global sectors and operating as an independent communications consultant. Over the last two years, she has worked directly with HR directors and executive leaders in school trusts to bridge the gap between human resources and communication. Helen specialises in auditing messaging, defining clear Employer Value Propositions (EVPs), and treating communication as a vital recruitment tool. Her practical approach ensures schools move past standard job listings to showcase their unique employment offer and keep top talent.
Workforce
1 Breakout sessions: Series one
Why they join, and why they stay: Connecting your people to your trust’s mission
Is your trust telling its story to employees and potential recruits? This workshop explores how employer branding, communications, and evidence-based storytelling can strengthen recruitment, retention, and trust-wide connection, including through change and mergers - especially for trusts that have limited capacity. Join this session to learn how trusts have successfully utilised people-focused strategies to showcase the value and fulfilment of working in schools, communicating impact and retaining talent.