Helen Moran is an experienced governance professional with over 20 years’ experience across financial services, investment management and pension fund governance. As Assistant Company Secretary at Railpen, she provides governance and company secretarial support to trustee and subsidiary boards and committees, helping to deliver effective decision-making, regulatory compliance and strong governance practices. She has extensive expertise in board and committee administration, governance technology, statutory compliance and minute taking.
Prior to Railpen, Helen spent eight years at Octopus Investments supporting a wide range of investment, governance and risk committees, alongside company secretarial activities. Earlier in her career, she gained experience within investment management, hedge funds and financial services, supporting boards, senior executives and regulatory processes.
Helen recently achieved a Distinction in the Certificate in Corporate Compliance & Governance. She is passionate about promoting high standards of governance, continuous improvement and effective board administration.
1. Why did you apply to take the Certificate, and what were you hoping to achieve?
I applied to take the Certificate because, after many years of working in the governance and company secretarial profession, I wanted formal recognition of the knowledge, skills and experience I had developed throughout my career. While my practical experience had provided a strong foundation, I felt it was important to validate that expertise through a recognised qualification. I was also keen to confirm, strengthen and cement my knowledge, ensuring that my understanding reflected current best practice and professional standards. Ultimately, I hoped the Certificate would provide both personal and professional validation, enhance my credibility, and demonstrate my commitment to continuous professional development.
2. What aspects of the teaching, content or structure did you particularly enjoy, or stood out to you?
I particularly enjoyed the online teaching format, which worked especially well for me as a busy working parent. The flexibility of being able to attend sessions remotely made it much easier to balance my professional responsibilities, family commitments and studies, ensuring that I could fully engage with the course without the additional time and disruption associated with travelling.
The online sessions were highly interactive and provided an excellent opportunity to share experiences and perspectives with fellow students working across a range of sectors and organisations. Hearing how governance principles were applied in different environments broadened my understanding and added valuable context to the course content.
I also found the structure of the programme to be very effective. The lessons were well organised, engaging and thought-provoking, striking a good balance between theory and practical application. The discussions encouraged critical thinking and reflection, helping to reinforce key concepts and making the learning experience both enjoyable and directly relevant to my day-to-day role.
3. Did the course change how you see your long-term career path in governance or compliance?
Yes, the course had a positive impact on how I view my long-term career path. It reinforced my interest in the governance profession and gave me greater confidence in both my knowledge and abilities. Achieving the Certificate provided reassurance that I have a strong foundation in governance principles and practices, while also highlighting the breadth and depth of the profession.
The course has encouraged me to remain within the governance field and pursue further professional development. It has strengthened my commitment to continuous learning and motivated me to expand my knowledge through additional qualifications and ongoing professional education. As a result, I feel more confident about my future career direction and the contribution I can continue to make within the profession.
4. What skills or strengths did you discover about yourself while studying?
While studying for the Certificate, I discovered that I possess greater determination, perseverance, diligence and focus than I had previously recognised. Balancing the demands of a full-time role, family life with young children, and the requirements of the course was challenging at times, but it demonstrated my ability to remain committed to a long-term goal and manage competing priorities effectively.
The experience reinforced the importance of discipline and resilience, particularly when finding time to study alongside professional and personal responsibilities. Successfully completing the course gave me a real sense of achievement and increased my confidence in my ability to take on future professional development opportunities, even when faced with significant competing demands on my time.
5. What do you feel contributed most to achieving a distinction in the Certificate, and were there any study habits or approaches that made a real difference?
I believe the most significant factor in achieving a distinction was my commitment to fully engaging with the course from start to finish. I made a point of attending all of the online tutor-led sessions, which provided valuable opportunities to deepen my understanding of the subject matter, ask questions and participate in discussions. Actively engaging with the lessons helped me move beyond simply learning the material to really understanding and applying it.
I also ensured that I dedicated time to reading the full study text rather than relying solely on the taught sessions. As a busy working parent, this often meant making use of small pockets of time wherever I could find them, such as while waiting for my children during sports activities and other commitments. Taking a consistent and disciplined approach to studying, even in short intervals, helped me build and retain knowledge over time.
Ultimately, I think a combination of active participation, genuine interest in the subject, and a determination to make the most of every available study opportunity made the greatest difference to my success.
6. What advice would you give to someone about to start the Certificate this October?
My advice would be to embrace every opportunity the Certificate provides. Attend as many of the tutor-led sessions as possible, actively participate in discussions, and take the time to engage fully with the course material. The more you invest in the learning experience, the more you will gain from it.
I would also encourage students to build relationships with their fellow students. One of the most valuable aspects of the course is learning from people working in different sectors and organisations, gaining insights into how governance and compliance operate in a variety of settings.
Most importantly, enjoy the experience. While it requires commitment and hard work, it is an investment in your future. The knowledge, confidence, professional network and credibility you gain will continue to benefit you long after the course has ended.