Helen Baker has spent more than 20 years leading complex programmes, mainly across health and public services as a senior technology delivery lead executive and managing director. Her current projects include advocating for regional growth to support local economic development and also supporting the next generation of technology professionals.
What was your first job (and how much did it pay)? My parents owned a corner shop when I was very young, so my first ‘job’ was helping to stock up the milk and wrap the bread. There was no monetary pay but they did - of course - provide lodgings and keep me pretty well fed!
My first proper job was in a hairdressers’ when I was 14 – it paid very little. At age 16, I started working in a sports shop at weekends, where I was paid approximately £15 for a full day’s work. Thankfully the pay got progressively better and with sales commission I ended up being quite well paid, which motivated me to stay there until I started my university placement year. That placement year with a niche IT company in the North West was where I learnt all about intranets and content management systems. I was blown away by the £10K a year salary after my comparatively low-paid first jobs!
