Helen Cooke CBE is the founder and CEO of MyPlus, one of the UK’s leading experts in disability employment and workplace inclusion. With a successful corporate career in commercial and talent acquisition, alongside her lived experience as a wheelchair user, Helen delivers insightful and engaging keynotes using her expertise in inclusion, accessibility, and disability employment to create truly meaningful moments.
After graduating from the University of Hull with a BA in Management Systems, Helen joined Marks and Spencer as a commercial manager. Following this, she moved to Mars Incorporated, serving as a Resourcing Manager for nearly 10 years, gaining experience that would lay the foundations for her future successes. In 2005, she founded MyPlus, diving headfirst into the field of disability employment. As CEO, Helen oversees the strategy and management across the business, all whilst helping businesses ensure they do not miss out on hiring the best talent and are disability confident in every element of the recruitment process. Five years after its inception, the brand launched the MyPlus Recruiters’ Club, providing graduate recruiters with a space to share and gain vital information in the hiring of students with disabilities. This led to the establishment of MyPlus Student’s Club, allowing students with disabilities to access support, build confidence, and find amazing opportunities. Helen has also been involved with The Back Up Trust, an organisation supporting individuals with spinal cord injuries. In 2007, she developed her Back Up to Work course, which she still shares today.
As a result of her trailblazing career, Helen has been recognised with several honours. She has been named one of the most influential disabled people in the SHAW TRUST Disability Power List four times, featured in Cranfield University’s Women to Watch for 2021, the Corporate Livewire Innovation and Excellence Awards 2023, and was included in the TA Tech Top 200 Most Influential Talent Acquisition Thought Leaders. In 2026, Helen was appointed CBE in the King’s New Year's Honours for services to special education needs and disabilities, highlighting the incredible impact she has had on disability employment.
Having worked with a wide array of global brands such as the BBC, BP, EY, JP Morgan, Nikon, KPMG, and the Institute of Student Employers, Helen is an experienced and confident leader, educator, and speaker. Through her expertise in young disabled talent strategy, workplace culture, and resilience, Helen’s incredible talks are grounded in practical knowledge and genuine passion.
Helen Cooke's official speaking topics are listed below:
- Unlocking Overlooked Talent Through Disability Inclusion
- Creating Disability Inclusive Workplaces That Attract, Develop and Retain Talent
- Turning Inclusion Strategies into Meaningful Action and Measurable Outcomes
- Challenging Assumptions and Low Expectations That Limit Potential
- Supporting Disabled Students and Graduates to Thrive in Education and Employment
- Encouraging Young Disabled People to Embrace Their Strengths and Redefine What's Possible
- Building Confidence, Resilience and Self Advocacy to Achieve Career Success
- Overcoming Barriers, Redefining What's Possible, and Exceeding Expectations
- The Role of Parents, Educators and Employers in Empowering the Next Generation of Disabled Talent
Official Feedback from In-Person & Virtual Events
"A really inspiring talk from an incredibly engaging speaker. The whole business felt uplifted with some very clear messages, delivered in a very thought provoking way! Amazing." — John, Ex Vice President Nikon Europe BV
"Helen Cooke’s guest appearance on University of Bath’s ‘The Placement Podcast’ gave disabled students practical, reassuring guidance on disclosure, workplace support and navigating recruitment. The episode has become a highly valued resource for students preparing for placements and employment." – Katherine, Placement Officer, University of Bath
"I have worked with Helen over a number of years across multiple organisations. Her knowledge and passion in this area is what really shines and has always stuck with me. Most recently Helen came in to deliver a conversation for International Day of Persons with Disabilities which was well received across Kennedys. I cannot recommend working with Helen enough." – Lorna, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager, Kennedys Law
"Helen was a brilliant presenter. The information was nuanced and clear and really supportive for the audience." – Jennifer, Programme Welfare and Access Manager, Teach First
"Helen is an energised and thoroughly engaging presenter. Her point of difference is that she is a positive and powerful role model. Helen uses her own lived experiences of disability and examples from the students she coaches, to unpack many practical examples on how to build disability confidence, address discrimination and self advocate to gain employment." – Susan, National Disability Coordination Officer Program, Australia
- 2026 – Appointed CBE is New Years Honours
- 2024 - Appointed a Trustee for Enactus
- 2023 - Corporate Livewire Innovation & Excellence Award
- 2022 - Named on SHAW TRUST Disability Power 100 List of ‘Most influential disabled people in the UK’ for 4th time
- 2022 - TA Tech Top 100 ‘Most influential Talent Acquisition Thought Leader’
- 2021 - Cranfield University’s School of Management Women to Watch
- 2020 - Commissioner for the UK Centre for Social Justice’s 2020 Disability Commission led by Lord Shinkwin
- 2006 – Owner, MyPlus
- 1996 – Resourcing Manager, Mars Incorporated
- 1992 – Commercial Manger, Marks & Spencer
How to hire Helen Cooke CBE
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Helen Cooke CBE for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
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