Helen Helliwell, Director Armed Forces People Policy, UK Ministry of Defence
Helen took up the position of Director Armed Forces People Policy in February 2019. The portfolio is responsible for the strategies and policies to ensure we attract, retain and sustain a sufficient, capable and motivated Armed Forces through the provision of world class enabling HR policies.
The policy areas include health, wellbeing and welfare; accommodation strategy; Armed Forces pay, pensions, allowances and compensation; children, young people and families and support to serving personnel and families through the lens of the Armed Forces Covenant.
Helen is also the Chair of Trustees for the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, Defence Mental Health Champion and Heads up the Team UK INVICTUS partnership with Royal British Legion.Helen is a career Senior Civil Servant who joined the Ministry of Defence in 2001; she has held roles in finance, policy, strategy, programme management, HR and ops, across Defence, the Ministry of Justice and the Dept for International Development.
In her early career, Helen also enjoyed time as a Royal Navy Reservist (Medical Branch).Helen has a BSc (Hons) in Physiology and Pharmacology; is a fellow member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development and holds the Diploma of Chartered Director with the Institute of Directors.
When not working, Helen enjoys spending time with her family and escaping for runs in the country and outdoor swimming in local lakes, rivers and canals.