Helen Goulden

Helen is a Director in Nesta’s Innovation Lab, where she oversees the design and delivery of programmmes to test new models for supporting and scaling social and environmental innovation.

Helen joined Nesta in April 2009, since when she has led a portfolio of programmes including on methods for diffusing community led approaches to tackling climate change, the use of collaborative digital technologies in public services and supporting local authorities to develop and implement innovation strategies and capabilities. 

Currently, Helen is responsible for the £10million Innovation in Giving Fund, which aims to find, support and grow innovative approaches to the giving and sharing of money, time and assets for social purposes.  She is also developing Nesta's thinking on sustainability and innovation. 

Before joining Nesta, Helen worked in the private sector developing digital strategies and solutions for global corporate clients. She spent five years consulting in the Cabinet Office, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Communities and Local Government developing national innovation programmes for local government and leading research and product development for interactive television services.

Helen has a passion for disruptive innovation, environmental sustainability and participatory research methods. She has an MSc in Responsibility & Business Practice.