Helly Summerly, Global Brand Director Winsor & Newton, leaves Colart

Farewell to Helly Summerly, Global Brand Director for Winsor & Newton

It is with sadness that I announce the departure of Helly Summerly, Global Brand Director for Winsor & Newton, who left Colart at the end of December 2024.

Helly joined Colart in August 2022, following the departure of Isabelle Ottiger, who moved to Chicago with her family. In her time here, Helly quickly established herself as a strong leader of the Winsor & Newton Brand team.

Helly built a collective sense of purpose within the team, managing the ever-present dual challenges of driving the development and execution of the brand strategy, while managing costs and making key investment decisions. She played a pivotal role in refining the brand’s target audience, sharpening its positioning and strategy, as well as the creative execution which is so beautifully expressed by the campaign Through the Eyes of the Artist.

She also orchestrated the development of significant partnerships, including the collaboration with the Paul Smith Foundation, which has elevated the brand and strengthened its connection with the artist community.

Helly built collaborative relationships with her peers: with her fellow Brand Directors, Group Marketing, and Commercial Directors. Her clarity of strategic thinking, pragmatic approach, commercial acumen and creative mindset leave the Winsor & Newton Brand well-positioned to thrive in a challenging business environment. While her absence will be felt, I am confident that the Winsor & Newton team will continue to flourish, and I hope to announce her successor very soon.

I am sure that you will join me in wishing her all the very best in her new role.