Helen Grant - Work experience
Businesswoman & Entrepreneur
In 1996 she set up Grants Solicitors, a specialist firm focused on dealing with the problems of family breakdown. From humble beginnings in Helen's front room at home, the practice has developed dramatically, now looking after well over 10,000 clients in the South London, Surrey and West Kent area, and employing around 25 people in her own 8000ft2 office building on the Purley Way. The firm has recently been awarded a large contract by the Legal Services Commission to provide specialist family work across the whole of the south London region, including Surrey and West Kent.
As the outright owner of Grants Solicitors, Helen has shown she has what it takes to succeed in business and her team is a shining example of equality, diversity and flexibility in the work place.
Helping the local community
Helen has in effect been running an MP's constituency 'surgery' for those in her community for the last 12 years. The practice has always been centred on helping the needy and vulnerable, and is one of very few law firms to offer specialist advice in welfare benefits and debt as well as help for victims of domestic violence and racial, ethnic, homophobic and religious hate.
Children form a significant proportion of Helen's work and she has a deep understanding of the many problems relating to the health, well-being and behaviour of children within their families and as members of the community generally.
NHS
Helen was a non-executive director of the Croydon NHS Primary Care Trust from January 2005 until retiring in March 2007 to concentrate on her political career. Her role involved supervising and overseeing the delivery of integrated healthcare for the community, holding to account the professionally lead executive and helping to ensure best use of financial resources to maximise benefits for patients.
Chagos Islanders
Helen is a supporter and campaigner for the Chagos islanders, a group of people forcibly removed from their homeland, Diego Garcia, in the 60's by the Wilson government. This has involved giving talks and raising funds, having questions asked in the House of Commons, persuading the foreign affairs select committee to review government conduct, and encouraging journalists to help to expose the atrocity.
This website is promoted, published and funded by Helen Grant, The Old Tithe Barn, 520 Purley Way, CRO 4RE.
Last updated: 6th July 2008