Helen Glover was recently awarded an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the New Years Honours list for her services to rowing. This prestigious honour is the second highest award in the Order of the British Empire. Helen was previously awarded an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in the 2013 New Year Honours.

Helen attended Millfield for Sixth Form from 2002 to 2004, and since then, has built an impressive sporting career, with her most recent accomplishment being winning a silver medal in the Women’s Four Rowing event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she also had the honour of being a flag bearer, alongside springboard diver, Tom Daley. This achievement came after she made a return to the sport following the birth of her three children, making her the first British mother of three to reach an Olympic podium. Helen has shared her hope that her achievement will serve as an inspiration to other mothers.

Helen has now represented Team GB in four Olympic Games: London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024. Over the course of her career, she has earned three Olympic medals, including two gold and one silver. A defining moment came in London 2012, when she and her teammate Heather Stanning set an Olympic record with their time of 6:57.29, winning not only the first gold medal for Team GB of the Games but also the first-ever Olympic gold for a British women’s rowing team.

Helen's list of accomplishments is truly remarkable. She is a three-time World Champion, a five-time European champion, and a multiple World Cup gold medallist, among many other accolades. Her success spans across Coxless Pairs, Women’s Fours, and Quadruple Sculls races.

A well-deserved recognition. Congratulations, Helen!