Ruth Davison | CEO of Refuge

Photograph of Ruth Davison

Ruth is Chief Executive of Refuge, where she leads their work to end domestic abuse.

Prior to this Ruth served as interim chief executive of Comic Relief, leading them through the global pandemic and overseeing significant changes including the introduction of a plastic-free red nose and their pioneering work with local film-makers.

Ruth has worked in a range of senior roles in the voluntary sector for over 15 years, leading strategic and cultural change at some of the UK’s best-known charities, including Christian Aid, Friends of the Earth and Crisis. Ruth also helped launch the Canal & River Trust, the UK’s largest-ever start-up charity and has served on the Boards of both Oxfam GB and Greenpeace UK.

What one action would you like to see organisations, or the government take to drive gender equity?

I would like to see the government introduce genuinely comprehensive education on gender equality, coercive control and VAWG.