Helen Kerr

Helen is a film producer, media marketer and studio owner. She was the first person to go to university in her family, studying biology here at LJMU in the 1990s, but went on to follow her creative flare across a variety of jobs, from managing former player relations at Liverpool Football Club to events management for high profile companies to turning her hand to acting.

Helen features in our ‘Humans of LJMU’ series in collaboration with the ‘Humans of Liverpool’ social media account, sharing the stories of the people who make our city, communities and university the vibrant, inclusive place it is in celebration of our bicentenary year.

In her interview she reflects on her varied career to date and setting up her own studio.

Helen’s ‘Humans of LJMU’ interview

“Growing up, I was always that kid that had a book in their hand. Me and my sister would go out and she would be playing football and I’d be sat on a wall reading. I was always an imaginative, overtly studious child.

“I was really lucky to go to uni when I did because it was such an optimistic time - that late nineties period. There was so much change, but things felt more positive. There were opportunities and a free and easy way to express yourself. There was no social media, and it was a more naïve and innocent time in some ways.

“In my entire year group in school, there were probably 10 students that went to uni, and I was the first person in my family to get any kind of qualification, including GCSEs, so to go on to university and graduate at the Anglican Cathedral was monumental. I remember my whole family trying to get into the ceremony to see me.

“I’ve had a few different careers since. I had some success as an actor and theatre director/producer. One week I was on every terrestrial television channel. I was working in the theatre when one of my friends recommended me for a role at LFC as a tour guide. I loved that job.

“I was away one Christmas and my manager noticed a difference. When I returned I was promoted and eventually, I went on to manage the relationships between the former players and the club. That was surreal. I was working closely with people who I’d had posters on my wall growing up. That job took me all over the world around the time we won the title and the Champions League. There was such a buzz about the place, and it was amazing to be a part of.

“Although I loved my time in the corporate world, like all creatives, I always felt the pull of creativity, and it hurt not to be making something. That’s when I decided to join a production company, Zope Media and establish Zope Studios - we shoot, edit and deliver real stories, and I work with a team of brilliant people. I’m now back doing what I’m most passionate about. An added bonus is that I am now working as Producer on a new Ian Rush documentary.”