Helen Gibson MBE is an award-winning international business entrepreneur, keynote speaker, coach, and leadership expert.
Intent on transforming lives and helping to change the world for the better, Helen draws upon her own experiences as CEO of Agencia, in which she has operated alongside her father and sister in their family firm. Sought out by both UK and foreign governments to tackle some of the most complex issues in the world’s trouble spots, Helen’s work has given her a career like no other.
A talented speaker, Helen understands the challenges facing countries in conflict and transition. From many modern-day issues such as terrorism, corruption, cybercrime, pandemics, addiction and migration, the work of Helen’s company has affected thousands of people around the world. Under her leadership, Agencia has been trusted to deliver on the frontline with health, justice, policing, and security services. With an enviable client list including the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, NHS, EU, and the United Nations, Agencia has successfully delivered in almost 30 countries, including Bosnia Herzegovina, Ukraine, British Virgin Islands, Bahrain, Kenya, and Afghanistan. Succeeding in doubling in turnover, the business growth achieved is testament to Helen’s values-driven leadership.
In recognition of the significance of her international achievements, Helen was awarded an MBE by the Queen for her services to international trade in 2022. Her company was also named Best Small Business in the UK at the National Family Business Awards in 2017.
After initially following her mother into teaching, Helen’s early career included working in the Cabinet Office and then at PA Consulting Group. Today, Helen is a popular choice of speaker for a range of events, booked to cover topics such as women in business, leadership, international business, change management and resilience. Helen has performed presentations for a variety of UK and international audiences including the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, Department for Business and Trade, Citizens Watch International, Crown Agents, NHS England, European Bank of Reconstruction and Development, Family Business Place, For Entrepreneurs Only and International Women’s Day events. Helen is also a mentor delivering the Cherie Blair Foundation Women in Business programme, a consultant and coach to a portfolio of clients and is sought for the role of non-executive director by organisations wanting to learn from her success and experience.
Helen has featured in media such as The Guardian, Yorkshire Post, Business Insider, International Journal of Education Management and on BBC Radio. Her writing includes: Women in Leadership publication 2023 Winter Issue (3dissue.com) and Eight ways to be a scrumptious leader and be irresistible - Elite Business Magazine. Her debut book ‘Go for Goosebumps!’ will be published soon.
Helen performs a variety of voluntary roles, including being selected as a delegate to represent the UK at the UN Women Commission on the Status of Women. She has been appointed by the Department of International Trade for seven years running as an Export Champion and sits on a Department for Business and Trade national policy group on free trade agreements. The former graduate of the University of Durham, later graduated from Hull University Business School. She has returned there as a Lecturer, including on the MBA programme, educating others through her experience. In her capacity as an entrepreneur, Helen is passionate about championing young people and still supports her former school, in her role as Enterprise Advisor at Beverley High School for Girls. Helen also served as a Magistrate on the Westminster and Central London Bench for over a decade.
Gifted with a naturally positive disposition, Helen’s energy, passion, and infectious enthusiasm are hard to beat. Radiating warmth, Helen has an instant likeability factor, vivacious style and an approachability that has helped to bring impressive change to various individuals, teams, organisations, and communities around the world. All this, thanks to her flair in bringing together people of diverse backgrounds to make a difference.
Helen lives in Yorkshire and enjoys time with family, adventure travel, photography and baking cakes.
