Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith CBE has been appointed as the new President of the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development.
McGregor-Smith is a widely recognised business leader; and is amongst the few women and first Asian woman to lead a FTSE 250 company.
“Ruby is an outstanding business leader who has campaigned and led on many of the issues that our central to our agenda, which includes encouraging responsible business practice; and promoting the importance of inclusion and diversity,” stated Peter Cheese, Chief Executive of the CIPD. “We are thrilled to have her as our new President and look forward to working closely with her.”
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION CHAMPION
McGregor-Smith sits in the House of Lords; and is Chair of both Mind Gym plc and the Institute of Apprenticeships and Technical Education. She is also President of the British Chamber of Commerce; acknowledged as a top-50 female word business leader by the Financial Times; and she was Chair of the government’s Women’s Business Council from 2012 to 2016.
In particular, she has been a champion of improving diversity and opportunity in organisations; and led the government review Race in the Workplace: The McGregor Smith Review in 2017; and subsequent follow-up reports. McGregor-Smith has close links with the CIPD, speaking at events and conferences. She most recently supported its campaign for ethnicity pay reporting to become mandatory for all large employers; something which she also recommended in her review.
RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS & EQUALITY
Commenting on the new role, McGregor-Smith said: “I have long believed in the principles of responsible business, inclusion and equality, and greater transparency – all of which the CIPD seeks to promote in its purpose of championing better work and working lives. I’m delighted to be joining the CIPD as its President and look forward to working on these vital issues; as well as helping progress and advocating for the people profession.”
McGregor-Smith replaces outgoing President, Professor Sir Cary Cooper CBE; whom the CIPD thanked for his extraordinary commitment and stalwart support over the last six years. As one of the most recognised experts in the field of wellbeing, he has made a notable contribution promoting it to the forefront of the business and people profession agenda.
Check out our Movers and Shakers section, for more new appointments and diversity champions in the DE&I/sustainability/wellbeing space.
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