Ruth Spellman

Ruth Spellman became the CEO of the WEA at the end of March 2012. "Having previously worked in the private, public and voluntary sectors, Ruth has a track record for implementing, managing and driving forward major changes in organisations, as well as influencing public policies. Her early experience was in the public sector, but she then developed her influencing and consulting skills through leading the HR consulting practice at Coopers and Lybrand. After undertaking voluntary work with the NSPCC she became HR Director, playing a key role in modernising the organisation and leading it through change, winning the Employer of the Year Award in 1996. From the NSPCC Ruth went to Investors in People where she established IIP as a leading brand, setting new standards of best practice in people development in the UK. She went on to become the first female Chief Executive of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers taking it through a strategic review and increasing the membership, before moving to the Chartered Management Institute in 2008. At the CMI Ruth led the organisation’s drive to address the high level skills our economy needs to compete in the global economy. She strengthened the influence of the CMI, developed the brand and introduced a range of new products and services to support employers and members.

"Ruth’s non-Executive roles include being the Chair of the Careers Professional Alliance, and a Council Member of the Open University."