Helen Gibson MBE

Helen Gibson MBE is an award-winning international business entrepreneur, leadership expert, and inspirational speaker who specialises in guiding organisations through complex global challenges. As CEO of Agencia, a family business she scaled to deliver in almost 30 countries, Helen has been trusted by UK and foreign governments, the NHS, EU, and United Nations to tackle critical issues including terrorism, corruption, cybercrime, and addiction. Awarded an MBE by the King in 2022 for her services to international trade and recognised when her company won Best Small Business in the UK in 2017, Helen equips audiences with practical strategies for resilient leadership, encouragement in adversity, and navigating change, empowering them to lead with confidence in challenging environments.

Helen Gibson MBE scaled her family business from its humble beginnings to deliver complex, high-stakes projects across almost 30 countries, working on the frontline with health, justice, policing, and security services in some of the world's most challenging environments. As CEO of Agencia, she has led operations alongside her father and sister, building an organisation trusted by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, NHS, EU, and United Nations to tackle modern-day issues including terrorism, corruption, cybercrime, addiction, and medical forensics. Her leadership earned the company recognition as Best Small Business in the UK at the National Family Business Awards in 2017, and in 2022, Helen was awarded an MBE by the King for her services to international trade.

Helen's career path reflects both strategic expertise and practical experience in navigating change and complexity. After initially following her mother into teaching, she worked in the Cabinet Office and at PA Consulting Group before joining the family firm, where she applied her skills to international business leadership. A University of Hull MBA graduate, she has returned to the university as a Guest Lecturer on the MBA programme, sharing her real-world insights with the next generation of leaders. Helen also serves as a Mentor for the Cherie Blair Foundation Women in Business programme, was appointed by the Department for International Trade as a Northern Powerhouse Export Champion for six years running, and represents the UK at the UN Women Commission on the Status of Women. Her expertise has been featured in The Guardian, Business Insider, the International Journal of Education Management, and the BBC, whilst her TEDx talk on encouragement has inspired audiences facing difficult times.

Through her speaking, coaching, and advisory work, Helen equips audiences with practical strategies for leading through adversity and navigating change with confidence. Her forthcoming book, "Go for Goosebumps!", explores cultivating encouragement in today's world, offering actionable steps that leaders and teams can implement immediately. Whether addressing women in business, resilience, international trade, or change management, Helen's presentations combine hard-won experience from global trouble spots with accessible, human insight that resonates across sectors. Audiences leave with renewed perspective on their own challenges, tangible tools for encouraging themselves and others, and the confidence to lead effectively in uncertain environments.