Helen Ketteringham | NCFE

What can we help you find?

Replacement certificates - learners
Replacement certificates - centres

Helen Ketteringham

Helen Ketteringham

PEOPLE

Helen is NCFE’s Chief People Officer, leading on our People strategy and culture. Helen provides Executive leadership to the People Services function.

Tell us a bit about you

I live in North Yorkshire with my husband and two children, who are our daily inspiration. We enjoy the great outdoors, music, theatre and time with our family and friends.

I’m a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD and Member of the Association for Coaching. I volunteer as a Steps Ahead Mentor in support of early careers and also help local schools with career strategies, as an Enterprise Advisor.

Running is also important to me as it creates space to unwind and tune into my latest podcast discovery. I recently took part in the Great North Run and it was great to be back in Newcastle, where I attended university some years ago.

Tell us a bit about your career

My career in Human Resources has spanned retail, financial services, local government and now education.

I’m fascinated by psychology and believe that everyone should have access to learning and the choice of a purposeful, enjoyable career. I advocate coaching as a true enabler of career development and personal growth.

Why NCFE?

I am compelled by NCFE’s vast heritage and societal purpose that impacts the education, careers and lives of so many learners, across all generations. NCFE colleagues share a desire to learn, make a difference and shape change.

The scope and impact are limitless if we harness this energy and apply the combined strengths, aspirations and perspectives of our people to our desired outcomes. It’s a real privilege to play my part at NCFE and tell my children our story along the way.

The scope and impact is limitless if we harness this energy and apply the combined strengths, aspirations and perspectives of our people to our desired outcomes.

Helen Ketteringham
Senior leaders in the People team

I joined the People team at NCFE in 2021 and I’m now Head of People Operations, leading the operational teams within the Chief People Officer’s (CPO) directorate. My focus is on building a resilient, high performing function that delivers outstanding service to the organisation and drives impactful people initiatives aligned to NCFE’s strategic goals. I also oversee compliance with CPO directorate standards and reporting requirements, including audit, risk, and business continuity, to ensure long term sustainability and workforce resilience.

My journey at NCFE has stemmed multiple roles in the People team, initially bringing my recruitment expertise into the talent team before progressing through several leadership roles into my current position. Before joining NCFE, I was part of the management team at a recruitment agency, where I developed strong recruitment and commercial talent expertise, and delivered consultative solutions across professional functions.

I’m from Whickham and live with my fiancé. Outside of work, I’m passionate about health and fitness and the positive impact it can have on both physical and mental health. I also love to travel and got engaged in my favourite place in the world – Magic Kingdom in Orlando.