Ruth is responsible for developing the Institution’s advocacy, influence and policy engagements through policy positions, regulatory and stakeholder engagement, consultations and advocacy activities. This work also supports campaigns and various communications and calls for action on occupational safety and health, social sustainability and worker wellbeing. In this capacity, Ruth represents IOSH on external strategic committees and at conferences and events internationally, as well as being a spokesperson for IOSH, speaking internationally at various conference.

Prior to the role of Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Ruth has been undertaking health and safety roles across manufacturing, the public sector and within a charity for over 20 years. Most recently she was Head of Health and Safety at IOSH providing occupational health and safety professional leadership to all levels of staff, supporting and advising senior management, management teams, employees, volunteers and contractors across all of IOSH’s work activities. She also supported the development, maintenance and review of IOSH’s occupational health and safety management system, which is aligned to ISO 45001.

Ruth is also a Trustee in a volunteering capacity for the Hazards Forum.