“There’s always going to be pauses in women’s careers if they have children but that’s not to say they can’t come back afterwards and over time slot back in. Having equality with men means there’s more opportunities for them to take paternity leave, for example.”

Meet Helen Haigh

OLD BRADFORDIAN (2000) AND LEADING LADY

In celebration of the 35-year anniversary of the school welcoming girls into the Sixth Form, and the 20-year anniversary of Bradford Grammar School becoming fully co-educational, BGS showcased its leading female Bradfordians and Old Bradfordians #leadingladies.
helen haigh

Old Bradfordian, Helen Haigh, spent 10 years in the Armed Forces and is a Captain in the Reserve Army and project manager for WYG. She’s led major projects during her career, from the planning and delivery of transport readiness for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow to ensuring the safe passage of deliveries on the main supply routes through Afghanistan as an Engineer Intelligence Officer.

How have you found working in such male dominated industries?

“I grew up surrounded by brothers, so I’ve never felt uncomfortable working in a male dominated environment. To me, the workplace has been a place with equal opportunities and people treating you with respect for doing a good job. In the Army, a lot of it is about being fit and strong.”

“I’ve always enjoyed the fitness side of it and so I found I could always hold my own. I never witnessed sexism as such because I kept fit and active so I was seen as an equal. I’ve had great male and female line managers in the military, and you take what you want to learn from each of them. I think naturally there’s always a pecking order with promotions and how you’re noticed and it’s about keeping abreast of healthy competition. There are always particular people who will help you or hinder you.”

What are your thoughts on gender balance in the Armed forces?

“As of October last year, all roles are now open to women in the Army. Seeing more women in top positions is not going to happen overnight but in time it will happen. It’s a big old wheel which needs to turn.”

“There’s always going to be pauses in women’s careers if they have children but that’s not to say they can’t come back afterwards and over time slot back in. Having equality with men means there’s more opportunities for them to take paternity leave, for example.”

What makes a leading lady in 2019?

“To me it’s about being a leader rather than a leading lady.”

“My niece is eight now but when she was three I remember running with her around the field and saying ‘keep going, never give up, don’t doubt yourself, always believe in you…’ If you allow yourself to think you can’t do something then you never will.”

“To me it’s about being a leader rather than a leading lady. My niece is eight now but when she was three I remember running with her around the field and saying ‘keep going, never give up, don’t doubt yourself, always believe in you …’

If you allow yourself to think you can’t do something then you never will.”

Helen Haigh