NorthStandard appoints external affairs head

Newcastle-headquartered maritime insurer NorthStandard has appointed Helen Barden as head of external affairs, leading its global external affairs function from the city.

Helen, who took up the role on August 1, will lead the organisation’s engagement with governments, policymakers and industry stakeholders at global, national and regional level.

Her remit will include strengthening relationships across the maritime sector and helping ensure the views of NorthStandard’s members are represented as policy and regulation affecting the industry develops.

She succeeds Mike Salthouse following his retirement from NorthStandard.

Helen was previously director of external affairs and joined the team shortly after it was established in 2024, having already built more than 11 years’ experience in freight, demurrage and defence (FD&D) with the organisation.

She also became a board member of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) in December 2025.

Based at NorthStandard’s Quayside headquarters, Helen will work with partners across the North East and internationally, with a focus on strengthening the region’s influence within the global shipping sector and contributing to discussions around maritime policy and strategy.

She said: “The shipping industry operates in an increasingly complex and geopolitical environment, where trusted and credible partnership with policymakers is essential to the development of well-informed regulation. 

“Therefore, in the immediate term, our engagement with key policymakers is a priority to ensure members’ commercial and operational perspectives are heard before and as policy is developed, particularly in areas such as sanctions and decarbonisation.”

Helen’s appointment also underlines NorthStandard’s continued commitment to its Newcastle base and the wider North East maritime community.

The insurer is a founding member of the Maritime North East Growth Network, alongside the Port of Tyne, which aims to encourage greater collaboration and support growth across the regional maritime sector.

NorthStandard has been working with regional partners through a series of roundtable discussions hosted alongside NET, involving senior executives and leaders from across different industries.

The sessions have explored issues including global trade links, sustainability, skills development and the future of the North East’s maritime industries.

With NorthStandard’s global external affairs function led from Newcastle, Helen will now build on the region’s established maritime expertise and relationships while strengthening links with policymakers and industry stakeholders around the world.

Paul Jennings, managing director of NorthStandard, added: “Succession planning is a key operational area for NorthStandard, and Helen’s appointment offers tangible proof of our preparedness and planning for the future in this vital area of expertise.”

Paul added: “Our sincere thanks to Mike for his lasting contribution to the Club and we wish him a fulfilling retirement. 

“We also congratulate Helen and look forward to continuing our commitment as she brings her own impressive talents to this crucial role.”

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