Helen Broadhead Head of Finance
Helen Broadhead is Head of Finance at Swinburne Maddison and a member of the firm’s Senior Leadership Team. A qualified CIMA accountant with more than 20 years’ experience in finance roles, and 15 years post qualification, Helen brings strategic financial leadership, operational insight and a proactive, people centred approach to the firm’s financial management and growth.
Helen’s career spans a diverse range of industries and organisational sizes, from global corporates to fast moving consumer goods, manufacturing, retail and professional services. Prior to joining Swinburne Maddison, she held senior finance positions and has also supported a number of business start ups, giving her broad commercial awareness and a deep understanding of scaling operations.
Her experience includes progressing through roles from management accountant to finance director, overseeing financial controls, developing systems, improving reporting frameworks and supporting organisations through periods of significant growth. Known for being proactive, collaborative and strategically focused, Helen is passionate about creating robust financial processes, delivering clear and timely management information and fostering a culture of trust, empowerment and accountability within the finance function.
- Financial processes and internal controls
- Management information and reporting
- Systems and data management
- Budgeting, forecasting and financial planning
Helen has more than two decades of finance experience, spanning multiple sectors and organisation types. Her experience includes:
- Leading finance functions through periods of significant expansion, including supporting organisational growth from 10 to over 100 employees
- Implementing new finance systems, strengthening internal controls and enhancing financial reporting outputs
- Establishing financial processes for new business entities and guiding one entity through a complex planning process to become fully operational
- Providing strategic financial insight to support long‑term business direction and performance
Helen is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
Helen was shortlisted for the NEECC Inspiring Women in Business Awards in 2023.
News & Insights
News
Swinburne Maddison Strengthens Position as One of the North East’s Leading Law Firms in Legal 500 2027 Rankings
Swinburne Maddison has reinforced its position as one of the North East’s leading law firms after achieving another strong performance in the Legal 500 2027 rankings. The Durham-headquartered firm retained its four Tier 1 rankings across Corporate & Commercial, Commercial Property, Commercial Litigation and Social Housing, while securing 25 individual recognitions and achieving a new […]
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Can You Hide Assets to Avoid Child Maintenance? Lessons from F v EE [2026]
A recent Family Court decision has sent a clear message to those seeking to avoid their financial responsibilities following separation. In F v EE [2026] EWFC 249 (B), the court demonstrated its willingness to use its enforcement powers where a party deliberately attempted to place assets beyond reach in order to avoid meeting their child […]
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A Legacy Built on People, Culture and Change. The Law Society in conversation with Jonathan Moreland
As Managing Partner of Swinburne Maddison, Jonathan Moreland has overseen a period of significant growth and change, helping transform the firm from its traditional roots into one of the North East’s most respected legal practices. But ask Jonathan what he is most proud of, and his answer is not an award or a business plan. […]
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Careers at Swinburne Maddison
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