TED Community » Ruth Shaw

About Me

I’m currently the Chief Executive of the Sports Grounds Safety Authority, a public body that was set up after Hillsborough to ensure spectator safety in football grounds. In 2011 I oversaw its expansion from the Football Licensing Authority, which has enabled it to give advice to other sports and other countries. This has been a great opportunity to share our expertise, and in the past year I’ve led projects to provide advice in Poland and Ukraine ahead of Euro 2012 and Brazil ahead of the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics.
Prior to taking up my current position, I held a number of senior leadership positions with the UK Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). These included developing and implementing policy in sport, arts and culture, providing strategic leadership and delivering change, and leading teams that worked with Ministers, other Government Departments, and the public and private sector.
Memorable roles include being Head of Government Liaison and Legislation Team, which helped ensure a successful London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Bid, and Project Development Officer for Culture Online, an initiative to increase access to arts and culture through new technologies. From 2006-2009 I led the Public Appointments and Honours Unit, which oversaw appointments to the Olympic Delivery Authority, the BBC Trust, and the Chairs and Board members of a range of national museums, galleries and other public bodies.
I’ve also spent time outside the DCMS and in 2005 I delivered an independent review of public diplomacy for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) where I set up a team that visited embassies around the world and reviewed the role of the FCO, the BBC World Service and the British Council.
In 2001 I spent a year as Development Officer for the National Football Museum in Preston, where I had responsibility for fundraising, marketing and education. In both of these secondments I really enjoyed the opportunity to work directly with customers and members of the public.
I’m a strong believer in the benefits of personal and professional development and a Graduate of the National School for Government Leadership Programme, Preparing for Top Management (2007-2008). Building on that I carried out work experience at Bedfordshire Council, Nike and Oxfam, all of which gave valuable insights into approaches to leadership and the approaches taken at local, national and international organisations. I’m an active mentor and passionate about creating opportunities for people to develop and achieve their potential.
I’m a Committee Member of the Women in Football network, an advisory board member for Career Savvy Women, an organisation that provides leadership development opportunities, and I am a Governor of the Board of the Sutton College of Learning for Adults (SCOLA).
In 2012 I received a Lloyds Banking Group and Real Business First Women Award for Public Service. The awards recognise pioneering approaches to leadership and commitment to supporting other women in breaking through barriers. I’m hoping to make the most of the opportunity to curate a TedxWomen event.