Helena is Acting Director of Grants and Investment at Access, overseeing the work of the Programmes Team.
Helena joined Access in 2016. After an initial two years in the finance team she moved over to the programmes team where she's since held a number of different roles, most recently Head of Blended Finance, before stepping up as Acting Director of Grants and Investment in September 2026.
Helena oversees Access's blended finance and grant programmes, including coordinating the Access Investment Committee. She is also an independent member of Pathway Fund's Social Investment Committee.
Prior to joining Access, Helena worked for a small autism charity in London, volunteered for a number of other UK charities and worked as an English teacher in China. She holds a degree in Conservation Biology and Geography from the University of Exeter and an AAT Diploma in Accounting.
Access is now open to funding applications from social investors and intermediaries. This follows confirmation from the Government that £87.5 million will be allocated to Access for social investment.
What we heard during our short consultation on the 2025 Dormant Assets Allocation - and what we're doing differently as a result
The Growth Fund Use of Subsidy report analyses how subsidy was applied, its alignment with original goals, and the key lessons learned.