Respected Welsh third sector campaigner Ruth Marks MBE has been appointed to head up the umbrella body for the country’s charities and voluntary groups.
Formerly Wales – and the world’s – first Older People’s Commissioner, Ruth Marks is to take up her new role as Chief Executive with Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) next January.
Currently Director of Care and Development for Reach – part of the Seren Group, which provides supported housing across Wales and England – she is responsible for services focusing on specialist dementia care, personalised support, domiciliary care, extra care and sheltered housing.
On behalf of Minister for Health and Social Services Mark Drakeford AM, Ruth is currently leading an independent review into Healthcare Inspectorate Wales with a view to introducing new legislation to strengthen its remit.
Successfully establishing the Older People’s Commissioner post from scratch, her key achievements included a statutory review into older people’s care in hospital.
Prior to that, Ruth worked as Director of RNIB Cymru, Chief Executive of Chwarae Teg, Deputy Director of Business in the Community Cymru – and for WCVA from 1992-95 as Training Officer.
A University College Cardiff law and history graduate, she has been a lifelong volunteer and has significant trustee experience gained from many charities and voluntary organisations, including as a trustee for WCVA from 2001 to 2008. She was awarded the MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2007 for services to welfare work.
‘I have a long standing passion and commitment to the voluntary sector,’ said Ruth Marks MBE. ‘I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead WCVA and be a strong independent voice for the third sector in Wales.
‘My objective is to champion WCVA’s key role of promoting volunteering and third sector activity; and to extend the sector’s invaluable work in tackling poverty and transforming public services.
‘WCVA has a strong platform and reputation and I am really looking forward to working with members, staff, the board and all partners to realise our shared ambitions for the sector.’
Jeff Cuthbert AM, Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty said: ‘I am delighted to learn that WCVA has appointed Ruth Marks as its new Chief Executive. She brings a wealth of experience to this important post and will, I am sure, be an excellent advocate for the sector.
‘I look forward to working with both Ruth and Peter Davies, who will step into the role of Chair of WCVA later this year’.
