Ruth Hollis

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT RUTH HOLLIS

Strategic leader with over 25 years in the UK public and charitable sectors. Most recently I was Chief Executive of Spirit of 2012, the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic legacy charity, to which I was seconded from the civil service to help set up in 2013. I stayed to the end, closing the organisation, as planned, in January 2026. Distributing more than £50m of national lottery funding, reaching millions of people across the UK and creating more than volunteering opportunities, I have a proven record of supporting major events to deliver inclusive, lasting social impact and exploring and communicating what works in leaving genuine long term impact for communities. I have championed the concept of using events as an effective policy intervention for social change and public good with central, local and devolved government, academia and event delivery organisations.Now freelance I am open to a variety of consultancy and interim roles (short and medium term). Beyond the social impact of events, I have significant expertise in charity sector and education leadership and governance, developing implementable organisational strategies and partnership development, including starting up and winding down, mid-organisation strategic change and developing and implementing evidence-based policy and practice change. I am passionate about removing barriers to participation and developing opportunities for young people. I was proud to be awarded an OBE in the 2025 King\'s New Years Honours list for services to sport, the arts, and volunteering.