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Ruth Marvel is a British charity leader, activist and innovator. She is a Trustee for both GoodGym and Riders for Health, was the former Acting CEO of Girlguiding, and now the new CEO of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, an organisation and award scheme that proudly sits at the very heart of JLGB.

A graduate of Cambridge University, Ruth has been involved in campaigning from her university days, when she improved childcare provision and the representation of state school students. She then joined Scope, a leading disability charity, and has worked to improve disability discrimination legislation while coordinating with others in the sector to improve the lives and experiences of disabled and vulnerable people nationwide.

In 2016, Ruth became the Deputy CEO and Strategy Director of Girlguiding UK, a fellow uniformed youth organisation in our Youth United family that does amazing work in inspiring and empowering girls and young women to gain a good start in life and provide them with access to valuable experiences.

In November 2019, Ruth was appointed as the new CEO of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, and she has certainly hit the ground running, especially while overseeing the DofE’s response to the COVID-19 and lockdown.

Speaking personally, having completed my Bronze and Silver DofE Awards, and had to adapt my Gold Award plans due to the current situation, I am very excited and honoured to speak to Ruth this evening about an award scheme so close to my heart, and of course the hearts of thousands who have gained access to a kosher and Shabbat friendly award provision through JLGB over the last 64 years since the DofE first started. And in the last 6 years alone thanks to the support of the Pears Foundation, JLGB has been able to support over 5,000 Jewish young people in takin part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Therefore, it is my absolute honour to welcome tonight’s very special guest. Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome Ruth Marvel!