Helen Simpson studied Egyptology and Ancient History at the University of London (1990) and went on to work at The British Museum. She obtained her Masters degree in Museology from the University of Leicester (1992). Her school and university education taught her the importance of good English. She worked for ten years in museums and galleries in the UK (Southampton City Art Gallery, the New Art Centre and the Hayward Gallery, London).
She moved to Belgium in 2004 and most recently worked for the Museum of Fine Arts in Ghent (2005-2010).