Helen Cooke CBE

MyPlus CEO & Founder

As the CEO of MyPlus, Helen takes responsibility for the overall strategy and management of the different elements of the business. 

Helen provides MyPlus Consulting expertise to our clients, business development for new customers, delivers MyPlus Employers’ Club events and represents the company at external events including keynote speaking engagements and panellist. 

Helen also runs MyPlus Students’ Club careers insight events on behalf of different industry sectors for students who have a disability. Designed to build the confidence of individuals to apply to organisations and gain the support they require both during the recruitment process, they also provide Helen with invaluable insights which she draws upon in her work in bringing disabled students and employers together.

After graduating, Helen began as a Commercial Management Trainee at Marks & Spencer, before moving to Mars, where she held roles across HR, recruitment, and student recruitment.

In addition to her own experiences of disability, Helen has worked extensively with other disabled individuals. Helen has gained a lot of experience from her involvement with The Back Up Trust, an organisation which supports individuals after spinal cord injury. In 2007, Helen developed the Back Up to Work course which she continues to deliver today.

Helen is a multi-award-winning leader in disability inclusion, named one of the UK’s most influential disabled people in the SHAW TRUST Disability Power 100 List four times and featured in Cranfield University’s Women to Watch for 2021. She has also been recognised in the Corporate Livewire Innovation & Excellence Awards 2023 and the TA Tech Top 100 Most Influential Talent Acquisition Thought Leaders (Fall 2023).

Helen was appointed a Commander (CBE) of the Order of the British Empire in the 2026 New Year Honours List.

 Outside of work Helen enjoys skiing, travelling, and in 2021 completed the London Marathon.