Helen Cooke CBE is the Founder and CEO of MyPlus, one of the UK's leading organisations dedicated to disability employment, workplace inclusion and accessible recruitment. Recognised as one of the foremost authorities on disability confidence, Helen combines extensive commercial expertise with her lived experience as a wheelchair user to deliver inspiring, practical and thought provoking keynote presentations. Passionate about ensuring disabled people can thrive in education and employment, she empowers organisations to create more inclusive cultures while motivating individuals to overcome barriers with confidence, resilience and purpose.
After graduating from the University of Hull with a BA in Management Systems, Helen began her career with Marks and Spencer as a Commercial Manager before joining Mars Incorporated as a Resourcing Manager, where she spent almost a decade developing expertise in recruitment, talent acquisition and organisational strategy. Drawing on both her professional background and personal experiences, she founded MyPlus to address the challenges faced by disabled students and graduates entering employment. As CEO, Helen has grown the organisation into a trusted partner for employers seeking to attract and retain disabled talent while helping organisations embed disability confidence throughout their recruitment processes. She also established the MyPlus Recruiters' Club, creating a collaborative network for graduate recruiters, before launching the MyPlus Students' Club to provide disabled students with practical support, confidence building opportunities and direct access to employers. Alongside her work with MyPlus, Helen has been closely involved with The Back Up Trust, developing its Back Up to Work programme, which continues to support people with spinal cord injuries as they rebuild their careers.
Helen's pioneering work has earned widespread recognition across the inclusion and talent sectors. She has been named among the SHAW Trust Disability Power 100 on multiple occasions, recognised in Cranfield University's Women to Watch list, honoured by the Corporate LiveWire Innovation and Excellence Awards and included among the TA Tech Top 200 Most Influential Talent Acquisition Thought Leaders. In 2026, her exceptional contribution to improving opportunities for disabled people was recognised when she was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the King's New Year Honours for services to special educational needs and disabilities. She has also shared her expertise through podcast appearances, including the University of Bath's The Placement Podcast, and regularly advises leading employers on disability inclusion.
Having worked with organisations including the BBC, BP, EY, JP Morgan, Nikon, KPMG and the Institute of Student Employers, Helen is an accomplished motivational speaker who combines strategic insight with authentic storytelling. Her presentations draw on years of practical experience helping employers transform recruitment practices while encouraging disabled people to recognise their strengths and ambitions. By blending actionable advice with powerful personal experiences, Helen inspires audiences to challenge assumptions, embrace inclusion and create workplaces where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
