Women's Print HERstory Month Girls Who Print

Helen Clarke Print, Post and Logistic Services Manager – Loughborough University

Company URL: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/services/creative-print/print-post/

LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-clarke-37744486

How do you help customers and partners succeed with their print and marketing endeavors?

I run Loughborough University’s in-plant Print, Post and Logistic Services.

Our team provides print in support of teaching, research, and enterprise activities as well as producing collateral for University Marketing campaigns and cross-campus events. We are part of the Marketing & Advancement Directorate and are fully supported by our in-house Design Studio which takes customer concepts and turns them into brand-consistent artwork.

Our Online, ‘do-it-yourself’ strategy is driven by our Online Shop that enables customers to access our print services 24/7. Our front-of-house reception team provides training and support to this service, fully equipping our customers to achieve the output they need.

In support of this activity, we manage 250+ multi-function devices across the campus that provide a convenient, in-location point of print for those quick turnaround requirements.

Our print services are supported by our postal and logistics team enabling us to provide a full cradle-to-grave solution, as well as extend our reach out into the local community.

My role is to bring all of these activities together in one seamless offering to our on-campus and off-campus customers, managing costs and developing opportunities for income growth that can fund innovation and the development of our capabilities.

What ONE word describes your professional mission for 2023 – and why?

Community 

Building on our community is crucial to our success and long-term future. Our staff needs to feel included and valued with a sense of belonging, knowing they are part of something that is bigger than the sum of its parts. They need to know that our business is a safe place to thrive and grow and that their growth adds value to what we do. 

Our customers know this community can be relied upon and pushes the boundaries on what they want, to achieve greater success, whilst knowing it is a safe space to give us feedback. Their engagement, direct, online, or through organised events, strengthens our reputation, awareness, and overall success. The sense of community not only gives them the products they need but provides added value and support along the way.

Personally, I know that I haven’t gotten to where I am on my own. My success is thanks to my community. My team and my family. Their support has pushed me to strive for better, not be afraid to fail, and push at the status quo to achieve success. I am trying to build something that will outlive me, that will protect our team and help it to remain stable and successful after I’ve moved on, and I need my community to help make that happen.


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