Helen Darlington, Founder and Group Head of Creative Strategy at global agency INK Digital, which has its HQ in Halifax, West Yorkshire, will be one of five speakers at the Calderdale Economic Forum 2016 breakfast panel on 15th November at Dean Clough Mills in Halifax.

The event is hosted by Insider Media, which has invited Helen - who has been recognised by the industry as one of the country's top female digital entrepreneurs - to highlight how digital and technology firms, such as INK, play a critical role in maintaining Calderdale's economic buoyancy. She will also address the audience with ideas on what additional community-wide action can be taken to encourage further employment, sales and growth within the sector.

Helen will also be joined by other speakers from the BCA Group, Calderdale Council, Leeds Beckett University, Eureka! and Halifax BID Steering to spark conversation on how to continue attracting inward investment and enhancing the profitability of businesses in this flourishing corner of the country.

Helen is incredibly proud to be flying the flag for digital ingenuity in Calderdale commented, "When the majority of people outside of Yorkshire think of Halifax town, they probably don't think of it as we do. There's a heck of a lot of talented, hardworking, lovely people in these hills and the contribution local businesses and organisations bring to the region, and the country as a whole, is nothing to be sniffed at. We need to do all we can to really put Calderdale on the map because what we're collectively achieving now and the direction we're going in is really quite amazing."

INK Digital was founded by Helen 14 years ago from humble beginnings, but fast forward almost a decade and a half and INK is now a global agency offering award-winning creative solutions from its HQ at technology hub, the Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre in Halifax. Its overseas studio is located in the heart of the central business district in Melbourne, Australia.

Helen leads a team of digital experts with the majority hailing from Halifax and surrounding areas with others commuting from Leeds and Manchester. The agency's roster of local clients include Pod Space, Business Growth Calderdale, Healthier Calderdale and James Heal, alongside international brands including Princess Yachts, Renault, Aviva, plus many more.

Over the years the team at INK has been championing Calderdale as a Yorkshire hot spot for creativity and innovation with visits to local schools opening pupils' eyes to all the possibilities a digital career can bring with internships being offered to develop young talent in the industry.

Helen was shortlisted for Business Person of the Year at the recently held Halifax Courier Business Awards and for the third time in four years she's also in the running for the prestigious Digital Entrepreneur of the Year gong at the imminent Digital Entrepreneur Awards.

The Calderdale Economic Forum is free to attend, but registration is required via the Insider Media website where more details about the event can be found.

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For any additional information or to arrange an interview with Helen Darlington, please contact Louise Adu at louise@inkdigitalagency.com or call +44 (0) 1422 399420. To learn more about INK's services, clients and awards, please visit the UK and Australian websites. Socialise with us at facebook.com/INKDigital and twitter.com/INK_Digital. To see what INK studio life looks like, visit instagram.com/inkdigitalagency

About INK Digital Agency

INK Digital Agency is an international award-winning creative agency specialising in interactive digital solutions from websites and email marketing campaigns, to mobile sites and applications. Headquartered in Halifax, West Yorkshire the agency opened its first overseas studio in Melbourne, Australia in 2015.

Since its inception in 2002, INK Digital has been awarded a number of top industry accolades including the UK's Number One Agency for Client Satisfaction in the Drum Independent Agencies Census 2015 & 2016, Best Website for Princess Yachts in the Creativepool Annual 2016, On Time RAR Digital Award 2015 and Elite UK Agency status in the Drum Digital Census 2015. The Drum Network Creative Agency of the Year 2014 and the UK’s Best Agency for Strategic Thinking RAR Award 2014. The UK’s Best Digital Agency RAR Award 2013 and Best Agency for Client Service in the Drum Digital Census 2013.