Ruth Redfern
Assistant Chief Executive of Yorkshire Forward,
Ruth Redfern, studied a Dip HE in Organisational
and Professional Studies, followed by a BEd at
Bradford College, graduating in 1980.
As Assistant Chief Executive of Yorkshire Forward,
Ruth plays a key role in the running of the Regional
Development Agency, which is responsible for
driving the economic growth of Yorkshire and
Humber. As well as supporting the agency’s Board,
Ruth is also responsible for managing relationships
with the region’s politicians – a role that suits her
own political background.
Ruth was elected to Bradford Metropolitan Council
in 1991 and as well as leading on key areas such
as regeneration, transport and skills for 5 years,
she was also elected Chief Whip. Despite her
strong connection to Bradford, Ruth is not a native
of the city, and her first encounter with the place
that has been her home for over 20 years was as a
student arriving at Bradford College.
“The first time I stepped foot in Bradford was
when I arrived to register at the College. I
remember getting off the train, walking up
through the centre and looking at buildings like
City Hall and thinking – yes, I like it here. I felt
at home almost at once. During my first year I
lived in Halls of Residence in the city and did all
the things a first year does – going out a lot and
enjoying myself. My daughter is in her first year of
University now at Newcastle, and it always makes
me smile when she tries to convince me that she
is staying in to write an essay and not going out
for ‘a quick drink’ – I remember those excuses!
People are often surprised to hear that I wasn’t
actively involved in student politics when I was
at Bradford College, but being there gave me the
chance to explore my interests in everything from
the Arts to disability rights campaigning. I always
say that choosing the right university is about
more than just the course, it is about finding a
place that allows you to explore and develop all
aspects of yourself – Bradford College gave me
that experience.”
After graduating, Ruth went on to teach deaf
students at the College and then to establish a
nursery that integrated able-bodied and disabled
children. She left to run DATA – a training project
for disabled adults, and under her leadership,
the initiative became a European Centre of
Excellence. It was from here that Ruth entered
Bradford Metropolitan Council – during which
period she also lectured in local, national and
European Government at Bradford University -
and then, in 1999 joined the newly established
Yorkshire Forward.
Photograph supplied by Yorkshire Forward