Walpole: What does your role entail, and how long have you been doing it?
Helen Power: I am the Marketing and Communications Manager for Simpsons’ Wine Estate, and my role is wonderfully diverse and dynamic. I work closely with the founders and I am responsible for protecting, promoting and developing the brand profile, as well as overseeing communications. This includes managing the social media channels, e-commerce platforms, press releases and curating engaging content for our customers and clients. I have worked for Simpsons’ for seven years, in which time the business has grown stratospherically, along with my understanding of the brand’s DNA.
We are still quite a small team and it is a privilege to be able to work collaboratively across all areas of the business. This has allowed me to build a firm understanding of all the processes in wine production, as well as in delivering first-class consumer experiences. I adore the creative aspects of my role and feel so fortunate that I get to exercise this area every day, whether that is through copywriting, photography or graphic design. I am lucky to work with so many like-minded brands and producers that there is always wealth of inspiration at my finger-tips.
I am also proud to be supporting Simpsons’ Wine Estate’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and broadening diversity, equity and inclusion in our sector. This is all part of balancing the equilibrium between preserving the natural landscape at the heart of our rural community and positively shaping the emerging UK wine industry.
What’s your career background and what makes you passionate about what you do?
At school I was passionate about the arts and languages, which lead me to study History of Art and Italian at The University of Manchester, with an ERASMUS year in Umbria, Italy. This combination of subjects ties in so well with the communications and visual storytelling aspects of my role, as well as the experience of exploring the beautiful Italian wine regions.
After graduating, I always dreamt of escaping to Rome to work in a gallery or auction house, but reality struck and instead I found myself working in the education sector for over a decade. I am a 'people person' and I loved making a difference to young lives, but the administrative load overwhelmed me. A friend sent me a link to a job at Simpsons’, half in jest. She knew they were looking for a someone who could speak French and was interested in wine, but it was a great fit for my interests and skills-set (naturellement!). I joined the team in 2017 – the year after their inaugural harvest – and I haven’t looked back.
It takes incredible courage and expertise to make wine in this country, especially for it to be of such high-quality. My colleagues are so dedicated and passionate about what we do at Simpsons’, and it is a real team effort across the board. I have been so fortunate to be able to grow alongside the business and incorporate a lot of my creativity into my work, including photography, which is a huge bonus. It is such an exciting time to be a part of the UK wine industry and we are also blessed to be located in a designated area of outstanding natural beauty. So, even mid-way through 'dry' and dreary January, it’s hard not to be enthused and inspired.
Can you tell us about a woman who you look up to regarding your work?
In my first role after graduating, I worked for an amazing headteacher and artist: Carol Donovan. A woman with such poise and presence, and a 'people person' to her core. In my experience, women are often made to feel like they need to be formidable, assertive leaders to make make an impact. Carol, on the other hand, maintained this serene strength and inspired her team by always noticing the smallest of details, which was so uplifting.
Ruth Simpson, my boss and Co–Founder of Simpsons' Wine Estate, is also a real inspiration. She has incredible courage and vision. Ruth works hard to implement change for the better across the UK wine industry and she is a role model for juggling family life alongside launching and running two internationally successful businesses. We share a creative streak and a keen eye for detail – she has taught me so much about brand development and curation.
What’s a significant obstacle for women in your industry or the wider luxury sector that you feel isn’t talked about enough - and why is it important to highlight?
Although the UK wine industry is still in its infancy, it is expanding at a rapid rate. One of the positive sides is that many producers are family businesses, with many women working across a wide range of roles – from CEOs to winemakers and viticulturalists – showcasing so much talent and spearheading the possibilities for women in wine. However, there is still so much more to be done in terms of achieving diversity, equality and inclusion – to make working in wine considerably more accessible. At Simpsons’, we have been working on our outreach and educational programme, as well as contributing to industry-wide DEI consultations to support and implement positive change.
What advice would you have to other women following your career path that would have helped you when starting out?
When I was younger, I was constantly put on the spot with people asking me what I wanted to do when I 'grew up'. I feel that it’s perhaps more the case for young women, but there is an overwhelming pressure to have everything neatly wrapped up by the time you are 30, both career-wise and in your personal life. Now I am approaching my forties, I realise that there is still so much I want to experience and there is even more scope for growth. It is only at this juncture that I have the perspective and confidence to believe in it all.
My mantra is to stay curious and be flexible. It has taken patience, agility and determination to get to where I am today, particularly when joining an emerging small business, where there is so much to get involved in and learn about.
If you are interested in joining the UK wine industry, a good place to start might be to discover more about your local producers and also to consider the full range of roles available. It is not just about winemaking and viticulture, there are so many positions in hospitality, tourism, marketing, export, design and communication. Visit WineGB, look at the courses available at Plumpton College and also through the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET).
What does success look like to you?
In my role, one of the resounding markers of success is experiencing the pleasure our wines brings to people. I am fortunate enough to witness all of the processes from grape to glass; I know how much hard-work, precision and expertise goes into producing our range. To receive feedback via our customers on how much delight they share in Simpsons’ wines and how they have become the go-to pour for special celebrations is truly wonderful. None more so than last year when we were tagged in social media posts as our Chalklands Classic Cuvée NV was enjoyed on board British Airways flights in Club World, or chatting to fellow passengers and staff on a recent trip I took aboard British Pullman, A Belmond Train.
On a personal level, success is much more fluid and looks different depending on the day. This stems from the joys and challenges of juggling full time work alongside co-parenting, whilst keeping up with the demands of modern life. I don’t think I’ve ever felt more motivated (and exhausted!), but I’ve learnt to treat myself with compassion, to better prioritise and to make sure I celebrate the small wins at the end of each day.
