Ruth Hunt, Baroness Hunt of Bethnal Green, is a respected and influential communicator who, with charm and humour, helps audiences of all sizes and experiences understand how to build successful cultures and bring minority voices into the room.
With over 20 years of experience leading campaigns for LGBTQ+ communities, Ruth became the youngest cross-bench peer in the House of Lords in 2019. In addition to her Parliamentary work, Ruth and her partner Caroline Ellis are Directors of Deeds and Words, working with c-suite teams to understand how collective and inclusive leadership can drive organisational effectiveness.
Ruth is also well-known and regarded for her previous work as CEO and Director of Campaigns at Stonewall, Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ charity. While at Stonewall, Ruth led numerous landmark campaigns, including tackling homophobia in schools and developing the Rainbow Laces campaign in partnership with the Premier League.
Ruth has gone on to work with various organisations, helping them to develop inclusive cultures, foster psychological safety, bring together multi-generational workforces, and understand how to navigate the future of work. Ruth's experience working in the House of Lords and leading campaigns also makes her a valued speaker on the topics of public speaking and influencing others.
A Visiting Fellow at Jesus College Cambridge, Oxford graduate, and former President of the Oxford University Students Union, Ruth brings academic rigour to her work while remaining wholly accessible to audiences regardless of background and knowledge.
Traditional leadership models and ideas surrounding workplace culture continue to be questioned by employers and employees worldwide. Ruth Hunt looks at why and how embracing collective leadership, building inclusive cultures and understanding the need for trust can result in staid models and ideas being put to one side, and drive organisational effectiveness and performance.
Ruth Hunt examines the growing generational divides in today's workforce, highlighting the challenges employers face in uniting diverse groups with varying needs and perspectives. As the media landscape becomes more fragmented, the differences among generations are more pronounced than ever. Attendees will learn how leaders can effectively balance the unique insights of a diverse workforce while upholding the necessary structures for organisational success.
Ruth Hunt emphasises the critical importance of company culture, highlighting the severe non-financial risks organisations face. With a decade of experience aiding multinational companies, she explores the link between work practices and financial success. Ruth examines the inclusivity of remote working, identifying the winners and losers in this setup. Attendees will learn how to enhance flexibility for employees while simultaneously boosting organisational efficiency.
In recent years, issues surrounding psychological safety have become increasingly prevalent in all walks of life. In this keynote, Ruth Hunt considers why we need to cultivate safer environments, both in our personal and professional lives, and how this can drive organisational effectiveness. Ruth outlines the steps individuals and organisations need to put in place to help facilitate this.
Ruth Hunt has been a passionate advocate for LGBT inclusion since coming out at 14 in 1994. Over three decades, she has witnessed the evolving public attitudes towards LGBT rights, shaped by both progress and setbacks. In light of the recent rise of populism, Ruth reflects on her experiences navigating these cultural challenges. Attendees will learn about the current landscape for LGBT individuals and how allies can effectively support their rights and experiences.
As the power of allyship becomes more prevalent and complexities surrounding authenticity soften, the space for progressive attitudes and behaviour has widened. In this keynote, Ruth Hunt delves into what has been achieved and what can still be done to challenge the status quo and break down inequalities that continue to threaten a more tolerant and equitable society.
