Ruth Thompson FCIPD, Solicitor

About

I have strategic leadership and corporate experience in the Higher Education sector and UK Civil service both in government departments and NDPBs. Legal, HR, OD&D and regulatory standards expertise, leading multi-disciplinary teams and working at board level across organisations. I am a Solicitor and Fellow of CIPD.

Experience

• Lay Non Executive Director at Association Of Child Psychotherapists
  Mar 2026 - Present · 4 mos

• Independent Member Nominations Committee at Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb)
  Nov 2024 - Present · 1 yr 8 mos

• St Mary’s University, Twickenham (Full-time · 3 yrs 6 mos)
  • Director of HR and Legal Services
    Jul 2024 - Present · 2 yrs

    Director of HR and Legal Services

  • Human Resources Director
    Jan 2023 - Jul 2024 · 1 yr 7 mos

    Leadership of the HR Directorate supporting the achievement of the University’s Vision 2030 through the provision of strategic and operational HR services and the continued development and implementation of the People Strategy.

• Deputy Director HR at Cabinet Office
  Oct 2021 - Jan 2023 · 1 yr 4 mos

  Leading HR expert services teams including pay and reward, employee relations, HR policy, complex casework and performance and talent management.

• UK Ministry of Defence (1 yr 7 mos)
  • Civilian HR Director (Acting)
    Mar 2021 - Oct 2021 · 8 mos

    Leadership and management of Civilian HR Function for 57 000 civil servants, covering all key functional areas of HR and employee experience. Acting as Head of Profession.

  • Head of HR Head Office/ Business Partnering/ OD&D Deputy Director HR
    Apr 2020 - Mar 2021 · 1 yr

    Leading HR operational and advisory services for 3500 civil servants in Head Office. Lead for departmental business partnering and OD&D.