Ruth advises organisations on becoming recognised as sustainable and responsible businesses, tailoring her approach and advice to the organisation’s needs and the stage of its sustainability journey.
Ruth’s clients range from smaller organisations getting to grips with what sustainability means for them, through to large and mature organisations well advanced on their sustainability journey.
Ruth works with key stakeholders, as well as external consultants, to design and implement the relevant structures, teams and projects to ensure responsible business activities are fully embedded within the organisation, as well as having the associated data reporting and assurance requirements in place.
Ruth undertakes full stakeholder engagement materiality assessments, leads internal ESG assessments, collects widespread data (including for climate transition reporting) and writes and publishes associated impact reports for organisations. Ruth also remains a qualified auditor and provides a range of audit and assurance services to her clients on both non-financial and financial metrics.
Throughout her career with Saffery, Ruth has advised clients on the implementation of new and emerging legislation and reporting standards, including CSRD, UK GAAP and IFRS, with a focus on owner-managed businesses and UK subsidiaries of international groups, and sectors including professional services, agribusinesses, landowners, manufacturers, and retailers.
Ruth has also driven large strategic projects in areas including organisational structure, business planning, and talent acquisition, with a focus on people and process.
Ruth achieved a distinction in the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) course, gained the City & Guilds Certificate in Responsible Management, and completed the ICAEW Sustainability qualification. Ruth is also a Chartered Accountant (ACA), qualified as a Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) and has a Geography and Business degree from Durham University.
She sits on both the firm’s Responsible Business and Client Service business plan groups, as well as the Sustainability and ESG steering committee.
Key experience
- Supporting clients through their own sustainability journeys including maturity and materiality assessments as well advising on pragmatic strategic steps to make change happen.
- Advising on new and emerging legislation and reporting requirements, introducing software implementation and team training.
- Providing clients with a range of external audit and assurance services over both non-financial and financial metrics.
- Working with successive generations of owner-managed businesses supporting their long-term business needs.
- An experienced speaker at external panels and events, sharing her knowledge and experience with industry and local business community partners.
- Leading the firm’s own journey to becoming recognised as a responsible business, including forming governance structures, undertaking a double materiality assessment, and publishing the firm’s inaugural Responsible Business Report.
Interests
Ruth lives in rural Cambridgeshire with her Cockador Nell and enjoys beach walks, playing racquet ball, being an active auntie to seven nieces and nephews, as well as being involved in several local community volunteer roles.