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Helen Sharman stands as a trailblazer in British space exploration and science. As the first British person to journey into space, she has become a highly sought-after speaker, captivating audiences with her inspiring story of determination and achievement. Through her work as President of the Institute of Science & Technology, Helen continues to champion the next generation of scientists and technologists. Her speaking engagements resonate with people from all walks of life, blending her technical expertise with her ability to engage and motivate listeners.
Beginning her career with a strong foundation in chemistry, Helen’s journey is remarkable. She earned her BSc in Chemistry from the University of Sheffield and later completed her PhD at Birkbeck, University of London. Initially working as a Research and Development Technologist for GEC and a chemist for Mars, Helen’s path to space began with a simple yet life-changing radio advertisement. In 1989, she responded to the call for Britain’s first astronaut, emerging victorious from over 13,000 applicants to be selected for Project Juno. This pivotal moment set the stage for her historic spaceflight in 1991.
Over the years, Helen has achieved significant milestones. In May 1991, she launched into space aboard the Soyuz TM-12 mission, spending eight days conducting scientific experiments aboard the Soviet Mir space station. Her work in space included medical, agricultural, and chemical experiments, as well as communicating with British schoolchildren, helping to ignite their passion for science. Helen’s contributions have been widely recognised, earning her an OBE, a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG), and 11 honorary doctorates from prestigious universities across the UK. Her work in promoting science has cemented her legacy as a pioneering figure in STEM.
Ultimately, Helen Sharman is hired not only for her accomplishments but for her ability to inspire and educate. Her speeches touch on themes of perseverance, teamwork, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. By sharing her extraordinary journey from chemist to astronaut, Helen motivates her audiences to seize opportunities and aim for the stars, making her a compelling choice for any event seeking to leave a powerful impact.
Helen Sharman is regularly booked to engage audiences at events, read their latest feedback below:
“An absolutely brilliant speaker, who engaged the whole Tees Valley and so many young people. Superb!”
“The feedback from our event has been overwhelming. You proved a huge hit and very inspiring. We were so thrilled that you were able to join us and even more delighted by your words of wisdom, all delivered in a beautifully self-deprecating way and with a great sense of humour.”
“Helen’s presentation was fascinating and very absorbing. Her personal manner and ease belied her powerful message.”
“Helen was approachable, inspiring, engaging and entertaining – excellent! We would highly recommend her.”
“I was lucky enough to hear Helen speak at the recent UK Space Conference in Liverpool. She was a superb presenter – lively, engaging, humorous, honest and insightful – and gave the audience an inside perspective on her selection and mission to the Mir space station.”
“We were delighted with our first virtual event, with Helen Sharman, which covered the challenges of working as a team in extreme conditions and in isolation. The results were excellent and much appreciated by the wider group. Helen handled the brief superbly, and she was calm and patient as we worked through the technical details before the event.”
“It was AWESOME, it went super smoothly and Helen was a peach. Her story is amazing! And the guys at AWS and CC really tied in what they were saying with her.”
“Please could you pass on massive thanks to Helen on behalf of all of us at Computacenter and AWS. We all found her story inspirational and were really honoured to have her be part of our event. The content tied in beautifully to our own theme and Helen had clearly spent a lot of time and effort in preparing her presentation as her delivery was immaculate”
The High-Performance Speakers Agency is the UK’s leading bureau for teamwork, leadership, and marginal gains speakers. We hire speakers for corporate conferences and events across the world and cater to both in-person occasions and online webinars. Our roster includes sportspeople, business leaders, adventurers and more, to ensure audiences of all industries receive tailored, impactful advice on optimised performance.
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