DAME RUTH CAIRNIE

Appointed to the Board April 2023.

Ruth is the Senior Independent Director, Chair of the Remuneration Committee and a member of the Audit & Risk and Nominations Committees. 

Ruth spent 37 years at Royal Dutch Shell in senior international line and functional roles, including responsibility for group strategy and planning. She was a Non-Executive Director of Associated British Foods (2014-23) and Senior Independent Director and Remuneration Committee Chair from 2018. She served on the Boards of Rolls-Royce (2014-19; Remuneration Committee Chair from 2015), ContourGlobal (2018-19) and Keller Group (2010-17; Remuneration Committee Chair).

Extensive leadership and board experience in the UK and internationally, alongside experience advising government on strategic development and capability building.

Chair of the Board and Nominations Committee of Babcock International, Director of the Confederation of British Industry and Serendipity Capital Holdings, and a trustee of the White Ensign Association.