Helen Gleave

Helen Gleave is Group Managing Director at Insanity and has been with the business for nearly two decades. During that time, she has played a central role in shaping the company’s growth and reputation by putting people at the heart of everything it does. This approach has helped drive a culture that balances
commercial success with genuine care for talent and colleagues alike.
In recognition of this ethos, Insanity became a certified B Corp in 2024 and was named one of the Best Places to Work by The Sunday Times in 2025, as well as by Broadcast Magazine in 2026.

Helen joined the business 19 years ago as an agent within its then thriving live division. As the company grew under the leadership of Founder & CEO Andy Varley, she moved into talent management, building a successful roster of clients primarily within the TV & Radio broadcasting space.
Known for her commercial acumen and collaborative leadership style, Helen later went on to lead the Entertainment division, supporting a team of standout managers to build a diverse and influential roster spanning broadcasting and the emerging creator economy.

In 2014, Insanity became the first management company in the UK to launch a dedicated digital creator representation division, an initiative that quickly became a cornerstone of the business. The division (later merging with the Entertainment team) successfully connected talent and creators with global brands through authentic partnerships. As the creator economy grew, this later expanding into literary, IP development as well as traditional broadcasting opportunities.

Helen is particularly proud of the team’s industry recognition, including Agency of the Year at the bCreator Awards in 2023, bronze and silver wins in the Agency of the Year category at the Global Influencer Awards in 2024 and 2025 respectively, and the inaugural winner in of Agency of the Year at the Edinburgh TV Awards in 2025.
Having been promoted from Managing Director to Group Managing Director in 2023, Helen works closely with the senior leadership team to drive the company’s long-term strategy, focusing on sustainable growth, talent development and innovation in a rapidly evolving entertainment landscape. She is widely respected for her ability to build long-standing relationships and for championing a culture where creativity, collaboration and kindness drive success.