Helen Besly

Group Senior Executive

Helen Besly is widely regarded as one of the leading minds in Australia’s communication industry.

Renowned for her strategic counsel and business insight, she is not only a highly sought-after specialist client advisor but has also been instrumental in Rowland’s exponential growth and success over the past three decades.

Joining Rowland in 1996 and becoming both a Shareholder and Managing Director in 2002, Helen has led Rowland’s Executive Leadership Team and overseen the company’s growth into one of Australia’s leading strategic communication consultancies.

She is noted by clients and the wider Australian business community for her insightful and candid approach to corporate and communication challenges and is a facilitator and corporate coach to many of Australia’s senior business and community leaders.

Helen believes business is all about people, relationships and conversations, and that respecting and valuing individuals is critical to gaining their support and trust. Her extensive experience spans the public, government and private sectors including utilities, energy, resources and education sectors, as well as healthcare, infrastructure and transport.

An active member of the business community, among her many accolades Helen has won a Telstra Business Women’s Award and a Centenary Medal for her services to Australian business leadership. She is currently a member of Chief Executive Women and Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA) Board of Directors.

Having stepped down as Rowland’s Managing Director in 2021, Helen’s focus remains on providing specialist advisory services to key clients, and invaluable mentoring to Rowland’s team of communication professionals.

Helen was previously Vice President and Deputy Managing Director of Burson-Marsteller, Hong Kong.

Industry experience