07/02/12
Kingston alumna awarded a CBE in the New Year Honours List
Ruby McGregor-Smith (Economics BA(Hons), 1985) Chief Executive of MITIE Group PLC, one the UK's largest private sector employers, was named on the New Year Honours List 2012 and will be honoured with a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for her services to business and diversity in business.
The first Asian woman to be appointed as Chief Executive in the FTSE 250 group of companies, Ruby has become a national spokesperson on issues such as diversity in the workplace and on corporate boards; women in business; work life balance; sustainability; providing opportunities for the long-term unemployed; apprenticeships; entrepreneurialism; and growing businesses in recession.
"I am truly honoured and humbled by this award," Ruby said. "I am passionate about promoting opportunities, entrepreneurialism and diversity in the UK, and delighted to have made a contribution and been recognised with such an honour."
Ruby completed her degree at Kingston before undertaking her professional accountancy training, and took various roles at Serco Group PLC before moving to strategic outsourcing and energy services company MITIE in 2002. Since joining MITIE, Ruby has overseen its revenues grow from £0.5bn to £1.9bn, grown its employee base from 23,000 to more than 62,000 people and has embedded into the business her strong belief that responsible business practice should sit at the heart of corporate strategy and is fundamental to business success.
Ruby's achievements have attracted numerous other awards, including Businesswoman of the Year at the Asian Women of Achievement Awards 2008 and Leader of the Year at the Orange National Business Awards 2011. She received an Honorary Doctorate from Kingston in 2011 and will be honoured on the University's wall of fame (Made in Kingston) later this year.
