Helen Tomlinson

Helen Tomlinson was appointed as the former Governments Menopause Employment Champion. Working alongside the Department for Work and Pensions, Helen worked with employers to develop strategies that empower women experiencing menopause to stay and progress in work. Applying the principles of Education, Allyship, Lived Experience & Leadership creating Cultural Change, Helen built a clearly defined sector based strategy to support women across all aspects of intersectionality throughout their career from a women’s health perspective.

Alongside this Helen created the No Time To Step Back collective – a group of employers, passionate about changing the experience of Women in the Workplace through collaboration & sharing best practice allowing her to carry on her advocacy for equity. She has also been appointed as an ambassador by the Wellbeing of Women Charity.

Advocating for gender equity is the common thread throughout Helen’s 30-year career in the recruitment and employability sectors. In addition to her voluntary Menopause Champion role, Helen is Head of Talent & Inclusion (UK and Ireland) for the Adecco Group, the global leader in HR solutions. Her pioneering podcast on menopause and work inspired the Adecco Group to design and implement one of the UK’s first corporate menopause policies.

Since then, Helen has supported companies of all sizes to create supportive environments, encourage open conversations, and help women thrive at work through menopause and beyond.

With three decades of experience across commercial management, sales, and strategic HR planning, Helen helps organisations realise the business benefits of an enlightened approach – and drives positive, pragmatic change for employers and their people.

Award- winning talent & inclusion strategist and pioneering women’s advocate

Speaking topics include:

  • Women’s health in the workplace: The evolution

  • 4 pillars of cultural change: Evidence based inclusion for women

  • Creating space: A practical guide to equity for women in the workplace

  • "Helen is a warm, charismatic speaker, who connects with her audience through her authenticity and insight. She combines real-world experience with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in leadership, especially for women navigating diverse industries."

    Clare Stafford, Director of Communications, Holland & Barrett

  • "Helen is an exceptional speaker who brings both passion and expertise to the vital topic of menopause in the workplace. Her ability to engage the audience with empathy, real-life insights, and practical solutions makes her presentations truly impactful."

    Julie Liddell, Managing Director, Still Human

  • "Helen is a very impressive speaker, who delivers with confidence and passion. She is incredibly knowledgeable about her subject matter and delivers with appropriate humour, empathy and compassion."

    Chris Worts, People Director, Bettys & Taylors

Membership and Speaker Collective

Learn more about how Encompass Equality membership can help you retain and progress your female talent.