She has played a key role in the early success of a number of businesses including Notonthehighstreet.com and jeweller Monica Vinader, establishing her expertise in supporting organisations to scale up.
Cornish’s background spans financial services, professional services and the public sector. She has worked directly for American Express, ABN Amro & Charterhouse, Mazars and the Environment Agency where she led HR operations including the newly formed HR service centre for 16,000 staff.
She is passionate advocate for the HR profession and uses her independent status to share her HR vision, advise and challenge her fellow HR colleagues across the industry.
She co-founded HRi, the UK body for independent HR and people professionals, in 2020. HRi sets standards for HR consultancy practices and provides support, development and a voice for external HR and people consultancy businesses.
She is a renowned speaker in the HR space, a regular guest on BBC Radio and on the news and a guest HR panel expert for Radio 4’s Moneybox.
Recommended reading:
It's time for HR to challenge the status quo
Does HR need more practical routes into the profession?
Lack of in-person catch-ups driving workers to quit
Ruth Cornish ranked 30th on HR magazine’s list of HR Most Influential thinkers in 2022.
Find the full list of HR Most Influential 2022 practitioners and thinkers here.
