Ruth Holdaway

Named by the Independent as one of the 50 most influential women in sport, Ruth took up her role as Chief Executive of Women in Sport in November 2013. On joining the charity, she set about creating and embedding a new strategy and a bold rebrand which saw the charity change its name from the Women’s Sport & Fitness Foundation to Women in Sport.

A passionate campaigner, Ruth has enjoyed a 13-year career in the voluntary sector fighting for gender equality; with senior roles in communications, service delivery, and business development in Breakthrough Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer UK and Women’s Aid. Prior to her charity career, Ruth was an NHS manager delivery paediatric, cancer and older peoples services; roles which she cites as building her determination to drive social change and her resilience. Ruth has also had roles in media production and management at the BBC and the World Health Organisation, as well as a short stint in the US Senate.

Ruth sits on the Board of the London FA and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of East London in 2017 for services to sport. She is also a regular judge for the Sky Sports Woman of the Year Awards. Outside of work, Ruth is aunty to 13 nieces and nephews whom she adores. She travels the world looking for the best surf spots to test out her long board and she enjoys playing or watching tennis, when she gets a chance.