Comic Relief has announced the appointment of Ruth Ruderham as its new grants director.
Ruderham is set to join Comic Relief on 3 July 2017 from the Prince’s Trust International, where she is currently development director. She joined the newly formed Prince’s Trust in December 2015, and set up the organisation’s fundraising function.
According to Comic Relief, Ruderham’s new role will see her “improve how charitable funds are spent and helping ensure the money raised has the best long term impact changing people’s lives”. She will replace Judith McNeill, who left the organisation as grants director last year.
Prior to joining Prince’s Trust International, Ruderham was the executive head of fundraising and enterprise at the Canal and River Trust which she joined in 2011 when it spun out as a charitable trust from British Waterways.
She has also worked in fundraising roles at Christian Aid and Friends of the Earth, and currently holds a number of non-executive board roles with Oxfam GB and the Galapagos Conservation Trust.
‘I have known and admired the work of Comic Relief throughout my career’
Commenting on her appointment, Ruderham said: “I am delighted to be joining Comic Relief at such an exciting time. I have known and admired the work of Comic Relief throughout my career, not just because of the huge difference they have made to issues of global poverty and social injustice through their grant making, but also because of the vital role they have played in raising awareness of these issues with the UK public.
In Fundraising Magazine
“To join the leadership team that will review and update the way we engage – from our grant making process to our communication channels and messages – is an incredible challenge and one that I am excited to accept.”
Liz Warner, chief executive of Comic Relief, said: “Ruth brings the leadership, ambition and vision needed to ensure that Comic Relief has the biggest possible long term impact on people’s lives. She shares our determination that the money we raise works as hard as possible to help those who need it most. She is passionate about driving real, sustainable change.
“Ruth also recognises how new technology and digital communications can transform how we raise and spend money. And what I like about her is that she sees the vital importance of having even more dialogue with the organisations we invest in and the people we fund and work with. She believes in being collaborative and working in partnership.”
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