Helen Helliwell, CEO Invictus Games Bid UK 2027
Helen is the CEO of the Invictus Games bid 2027, leading the team to bring the Games back to the UK, at the NEC in Birmingham, in 2027.Prior to that, Helen held the position of Director Armed Forces People Policy in the Ministry of Defence from 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 included Armed Forces health, wellbeing and welfare; accommodation strategy and standards; 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 was the inaugural Chair of Trustees for the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (2017-2024), and the Defence Mental Health Champion since 2020.
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 year round swims in the local rivers, lakes and canals.