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Helen Barge

Principal and Senior Digital Risk and Resilience Consultant
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Helen is a seasoned governance, risk and compliance (GRC) leader with more than 25 years of experience across sectors including technology, finance, retail and public services.

As the founder of Risk Evolves, now part of Barnett Waddingham, she has built a reputation for providing practical, proportionate and business-focused support to organisations of all sizes. 

She specialises in cyber and information security, data privacy, risk evaluation, business continuity, regulatory compliance and ISO implementation. Her passion lies in helping organisations strengthen their resilience, enabling them to take opportunities confidently while meeting regulatory and stakeholder expectations. 

Helen is known for her ‘no jargon’ approach to risk – demystifying complex subjects for boards and senior leadership teams and promoting a risk-aware culture throughout organisations. She regularly speaks at industry conferences and webinars and serves as an advisory panel member for the West Midlands Cyber Resilience Centre. 

Significant experience

  • Leading governance, risk and compliance programmes across corporate and SME environments. 

  • Supporting clients with cyber and data protection strategies, including GDPR and Cyber Essentials certification. 

  • Conducting governance reviews and implementing ISO frameworks (ISO 9001, 27001, 45001, 14001, 27701 and more). 

  • Delivering business continuity planning, risk assessments and crisis response workshops. 

  • Providing tailored training on risk management, cyber awareness and data privacy. 

  • Advising C-suite and boards on their accountability for information security and regulatory compliance. 

Other expertise

  • Virtual Data Protection Officer (DPO) support. 
  • ESG and sustainability risk evaluation. 
  • Supply chain risk and resilience. 
  • Troubleshooting underperforming projects. 
  • Integrating risk frameworks such as the Three Lines of Defence and ISO 31000. 

Insight

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Career

Helen joined Barnett Waddingham in 2025 through the acquisition of Risk Evolves, the specialist risk advisory firm she founded in 2015. As Director, she helped organisations manage cyber security, data privacy, and compliance. Previously, Helen spent nearly 20 years at IBM UK in senior roles focused on governance, risk assurance, and transformation. Her earlier experience in financial services and FMCG provided a strong foundation in IT systems and operations.

Memberships

  • Fellow International Institute of Risk & Safety Management.  
  • International Certificate in Risk Management. 
  • Certified Data Protection Officer. 
  • Certified Lead Auditor for Quality Management and Information Security Systems. 
  • Multiple ISO standard certifications across security, quality and environmental systems. 

Interests

Helen co-founded Swim In a Tin, an innovative private swimming experience, and is passionate about sustainability. She is also an advocate for B Corp principles and believes that business success should never come at a cost to people or the planet.