Dame Helena Morrissey

Dame Helena Morrissey is a financier, campaigner, author and the mother of nine. 

Named the Financial Times Person of the Year in 2017, as well as in the world’s 50 Greatest Leaders by Fortune Magazine, Helena is an inspirational leader with strategies to succeed in business, diversity, family life. 

With a career start in New York before moving to London, Helena faced discrimination for being the only woman in a team of 16 fund managers. In one instance, she even missed out on a promotion because there was ‘doubt over her commitment with a baby’. Despite this, Helena was more determined to take control of her own career and, in the process, empower other women to do the same. 

Joining Newton Investment Management with mentoring from their founder Stewart Newton, Helena used her new expertise to rise the ranks of the company. Seven years later she was appointed the firm’s CEO, and helped to triple profits and grow assets from £20bn to £50bn over the next 15 years.

In 2010, Helena worked on improving UK’s gender imbalance within corporate leadership. She launched the 30% Club, championed by the chairmen of UK’s top corporate boards, and helped to raise female representation in FTSE350 directors by over 20% within nine years. 

With its significant social impact in the UK, the 30% Club has expanded across the globe, with initiatives worldwide to help women in all stages of their career. The 30% Club also boasts the world’s largest cross-company mentoring scheme.

Helena is an incredible visionary enacting change through practical solutions. She is passionate about sharing her experiences and expertise through lively keynote presentations.