Helen Helliwell Announced to Lead Invictus Games 2027 as Government Appointed CEO
Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 are delighted to share that former Director Armed Forces People Policy in the Ministry of Defence, Helen Helliwell, has been appointed by the UK Government as CEO of the Invictus Games, that will be held in Birmingham in just over two years time.
Prior to her appointment as CEO of the games, and while serving as Director in the Ministry of Defence, Helen led the team that successfully secured the bid for the Invictus Games 2027. Now, on secondment from the Ministry of Defence, Helen will be responsible for the overall delivery of the games, ensuring that they are well-planned, funded, and impactful, whilst ensuring that the event remains aligned to its mission of supporting and uniting wounded, injured and or sick veterans, Serving Personnel and their families through the power of sport - with impact and legacy ambitions commencing in 2025 and lasting well beyond the Games in 2027.
Her impressive career history within the civil service spans over two decades, with roles across Government but with the Ministry of Defence as a clear career anchor. Helen has spent the majority of her career supporting the Armed Forces community at national level through a wealth of personnel related policies, introduction of the Armed Forces Covenant, the establishment of the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (where she oversaw £200m in grant management to Armed Forces community projects across the UK and overseas bases) and as Defence Mental Health and Wellbeing Champion for five years. With this outstanding track record, she brings a wealth of experience in crafting and implementing people-centred strategies on both national and international stages - making her the ideal candidate to lead the execution of these games.
Beyond her broad professional background, the Invictus Games hold personal significance for Helen. She was a policy adviser for Op HERRICK, Afghanistan, reporting on casualties and fatalities during the Campaign in 2005-06; and subsequently instigated national policies to support those most severely injured. Helen was a presenter at the Sydney Invictus Games and served as Head of Delegation for Team UK at both the Hague and Dusseldorf Invictus Games.
When asked about her leading role in the games, Helen Helliwell commented: “It is an absolute honour and privilege to be leading the team to bring the Games home; I've seen first hand the life changing impact the games has on participants and their families and the inspiration it provides for people around the globe. I'm really looking forward to working with the Invictus Games Foundation again and ensuring not just an amazing week of games, but lasting impact and legacy for our wounded, injured and or sick Armed Forces communities through the power of adaptive sport. There is not a more adept place to do this than Birmingham, an amazing city for hosting events and with such strong ties to our Armed Forces community.”
Helen Helliwell’s appointment as CEO of the Invictus Games 2027 marks a pivotal moment in the journey to deliver an extraordinary event that will celebrate the resilience and strength of our wounded, injured, and sick veterans, serving personnel and their families, on our very own soil. As the flag hands over from Vancouver to Birmingham in February 2025, her passion for the mission and proven leadership skills will ensure that the Invictus Games 2027 will not only be a remarkable sporting event, but a lasting testament to the power of sport in fostering healing, camaraderie, and unity.