about me
DAVID HELPS
strategic x creative thinker
solver, innovator, collaborator, maximiser
I have over 30 years of strategic leadership and creative consultancy experience with global organizations and leading brands. I have worked in multiple regions and markets for clients and brands from many sectors.
I’m based in Amsterdam & work with progressive business’ and their brands to “Do Better” by thinking different and using my creative intelligence. I’m here to help solve problems, explore new opportunities & create useful change.
I’m available as retained advisory or project-based. From fractional roles to pre-scoped action plans – whenever and whatever works better.
Drop me a line, ask a question or shout for helps at
[email protected]
experience
I’ve enjoyed working with global FMCG companies on their brand positioning, new brand creation, ventures & innovation. Previously I was a Group Partner, Director & shareholder at https://www.designbridge.com.
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An A-Z of my creative and strategic experience
Brands: Airwick, Ambi Pur, Andrex, Axe, Banks Rum, Beefeater, Bohemia, Bols, Brylceem, Bourneville, Cadbury, Camel, Carling, Carlsberg, Culinesse, Daim, Domestos, Dettol, Dove, Drambuie, Dr Oetker, Drum, Dulux, Durex, Dutch Lady, Enfamil, Finish, Freia, Gallo, Gerber, Gordon’s Gin, Guinness, Heineken, Heinz, Hellmann’s, Holsten, Idun, Innocent drinks, Jameson, Jordan, Kerrygold, KFC, Kiwi, Knorr, KP nuts, Kronenbourg, Leerdammer, Lipton, Lux, Lysol, The Macallan, Mahou, McVities, Mevius, Milka, Muller, Nescafe, Neuriva, Old Spice, Otima port, Pampers, PG Tips, Phileas Fogg, Philadelphia, Physio, Ploom, Plymouth Gin, Ragu, Rexona, Rimmel, Sanex, Sanpelligrino, Scholl, Senseo, Smirnoff, Snickers, Super Bock, Tanqueray, Tennent’s lager, Tiger Beer, Titan watches, Toblerone, Toro, Tuborg, Veet, Verkade, Winston Clients: Adidas, Adnams, Akzo Nobel, Ariel, Asia Pacific Breweries, Astro Zeneca, Bacardi, Bass Breweries, Bausch & Lomb, Beam Suntori, Bold, Campari, Carlsberg, Coca Cola, Conagra, Danone, Daz, Diageo, Edrington Group, Elida Faberge, Essity, Fortnum & Mason, Galp, General Foods, Gerber, Glanbia, Hennessy, Heineken, InBev, Innocent, Intervet, JDE, JTI, Komili, Kraft Jacob Suchard, LVMH, Mars, Metal Box, Mondelez, Nestle, OHL, Orkla, Paulig, PepsiCo, Pernod Ricard, Philips, Premier Foods, Pripps, P&G, Reckitt, RFC, RHM, Sara Lee, SCA, Scholl, Scott Worldwide, Syngenta, TNT, Tuborg, UEFA, Strauss, Titan, Unicer, Unilever, United Biscuits, Vin & Spritt, WRAP Sectors: Food, Beverages, Infant & Adult Nutrition, Healthcare, Self Care, Beauty, Sport & fitness, Petcare, Household, Paper products, Retail dispense, Beer, wine & spirits, Confectionary, Hospitality, Electronic goods, Sustainable futures, Motoring. Regions: LatAm, Nth America, Nordics, Europe, Africa, Middle East, India, S.E.Asia. Australasia. Markets: Mexico, Brasil, Venezuela, USA, Canada, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Ireland, UK, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, Latvia, Czechia, Hungary, Bavaria, Romania, Poland, Russia, Greece, Turkey, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, India, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong, China, Sth Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Australia & New Zealand.
testimonials
See what others say about me
“Over the past two decades, we’ve collaborated on various high-profile projects for reputable clients in the Netherlands, including JDE, Reckitt, Heineken, Unilever, Akzo Nobel, Sara Lee, Diageo, Friesland Campina, Mondelez, Ambi Pur, and Tom Tom. Throughout these projects, David has consistently displayed strategic acumen & innovation insight. He possesses a unique blend of sharp analytical capabilities, complemented by a creative mindset. This duality has proven invaluable in our collaborations, as he can ideate and critically evaluate, ensuring the best outcomes for our clients”
Frank Nas
Executive Vice President Northern Europe
Design Bridge and Partners Amsterdam
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“For anyone who is considering working alongside David, he comes highly recommended by me and many others I know. Personally, I would jump at the chance to work with David again in any capacity because we share the same values in our work & life of honesty, excellence & fun”
Sir William Goodenough Bt
Founder and Executive chairman of the Design Bridge Group
“I worked with David & Design Bridge towards the end of 2022 to help me plan, run & capture a series of “sustainable futures” workshops here in Amsterdam. This involved multi-disciplinary teams, a mix of corporate and agency participants and a variety of online & offline inputs. I can recommend David as a senior Brand strategy, design & innovation professional”
Jos Harrison
Global Head, Brand Experience & Design
Reckitt Plc
“I’ve really enjoyed working with David and I would highly recommend him as a senior marketing consultant who combines brand strategy, design & innovation in one package. As well as the “creative intelligence” he often talks passionately about, he also has a high degree of emotional intelligence to support, navigate and negotiate with multiple stakeholders which I valued highly”
Ania Pociask
Masterbrand Manager
Essity Consumer Tissue Brand
“I recommend David very warmly. He is not only a brilliant designer but his design led thinking and strategic problem solving for clients & their brands is second to none. He also happens to be great fun to work with, even under stressful conditions”
Peter Boucher
Former Mondelez, Unilever, Vodafone Marketer
“One of my career highlights was working alongside David to help him deliver a 3 day Innovation ideation event in Geneva, that involved 150 client & agency participants to develop a 10 year global pipeline of products. I had never seen anything like that delivered at such scale, with such positive outcomes – and it’s indicative of David’s vision, confidence & ability”
Hugh Roberts
Founder, Strategy by Design