At the heart of effective communication is the ability to make complex topics meaningful and relatable. For Helen McArthur, that’s more than a professional philosophy—it’s a passion that has guided her across continents, industries, and stages of her career.
Helen is the Director of Communications and External Relations for the BC Municipal Pension Plan (MPP), where she leads strategic communications and outreach efforts on behalf of the Plan’s Board of Trustees. With over 18 months in her current role—and more than a decade supporting BC’s public sector pension plans—Helen brings a wealth of experience, perspective, and enthusiasm to her work.
🧭 A global career rooted in strategy and creativity
Helen’s communications journey began in the UK, where she earned a degree in Management Studies from Royal Holloway, University of London. She cut her teeth in a startup environment before stepping into more senior consulting roles, eventually becoming Head of Communications for a pension consulting firm in London, England. There, she led high-profile projects like an award-winning campaign for the NHS Pension Scheme and communication of public sector pension reforms with the UK Treasury.
In 2012, she made a bold move—relocating to Vancouver Island to lead the reputational risk program for BC’s Public Sector Pension Plans. That move eventually brought her back to her communications roots in 2024, when she took on her current role at MPP.
“I enjoy helping people understand complex topics. I love creative storytelling to engage people—even when the subject matter is challenging or uninteresting at first glance,” she says.
🌱 Purpose-driven and people-centered
For Helen, success isn’t just measured in project outcomes—it’s also about the people she works with and the impact she makes on their journeys. She fondly recalls seeing past team members flourish in new roles: “It’s extremely rewarding when I see people I’ve worked with stepping into senior positions or speaking at conferences. I feel proud to have played a part in their journey.”
She’s also deeply motivated by the team she works with and the members she serves. “Knowing that our efforts help people with their future financial security is incredibly rewarding,” Helen shares. “And I love it when we push a client outside their comfort zone—and they embrace it.”
💪 Leading with empathy, trust, and a strategic lens
Managing communications for a board of 32 trustees comes with its challenges, but Helen approaches it with a focus on trust-building and strategic alignment. “Take time to articulate your strategic approach and get buy-in early,” she advises. “Clear objectives and measures guide the project through even the messiest of stages.”
Her own strengths lie in building relationships, seeing issues from multiple perspectives, and fostering collaboration across diverse teams. She’s also an advocate of innovation and experimentation: “If we have a strong strategy, then a bit of flexibility in tactics is easier to manage.”
🎖️ The Value of Accreditation and Professional Community
Helen holds an Accredited Business Communicator (ABC) designation—a choice driven by the desire for communications to be recognized alongside other professional disciplines. “In financial services, colleagues have designations as accountants or actuaries. I felt communications should be no different,” she explains.
The certification process also sharpened her skills in measurement—a key challenge in pension communications—and gave her the confidence to speak to her value as a strategic communicator.
Her relationship with IABC has been pivotal. “IABC helped me make the move from the UK to Canada. It gave my application credibility and created a connection between me and my hiring manager.” From her first world conference in New York City to local events and networking opportunities, IABC has been a cornerstone of her professional journey.
🏃♀️ Beyond the Office: Marathons, Cookies, and Creativity
When she’s not translating pension policy into member-friendly language, Helen is likely hitting the pavement—literally. A passionate marathon runner, she’s on a mission to complete a marathon on every continent. Her most recent adventure? Running the Antarctic Ice Marathon. With just two continents left, she’s preparing to take on Sydney next.
And in true multi-hyphenate fashion, she’s also a side-hustle baker. From her rural property on Vancouver Island, she runs the whimsical Crazy Cookie House, a community-loved farmstand that’s even been featured in Canadian media.
🗣️ Final Words of Wisdom
If Helen could offer her younger self some advice, it would be: “Be bold and brave. When communicating financial concepts, you need to be creative. Being different is an asset.”
As for the year ahead? Helen is focused on building out her growing team at MPP—ensuring it’s just as values-driven, strategic, and dynamic as she is.
Interested in connecting with fellow professionals like Helen?
Learn more about IABC/BC membership and how you can grow your communications career through mentorship, learning, and community.
