Ruth Smyth

Group Chief People Officer

Ruth started her career at PwC in an HR consulting role and has since worked in a number of people and culture leadership roles, most recently as the managing director of people and culture in a fast-growing PE-backed global business.

She joined Gravita in September 2024 as the Group’s Chief People Officer, aiming to cultivate an environment where people can succeed, and decisions are made from a foundation of strong values. Her strong belief is that businesses flourish when people can be themselves and are trusted and supported to do great work. She is particularly passionate about enabling flexibility in the workplace.

Outside of work, she is a trustee of MacIntyre, chairing their remuneration committee. She is also a part-time executive assistant and chauffeur for her children’s varied social calendar.

Services

Leadership team

Sectors

Professional and Business Services

Locations

More Gravita Team Members

Leadership team

Simon Gateley

Group Head of Operations and Transformation

Leadership team

Ruth Smyth

Group Chief People Officer

Leadership team

Matthew Bracher

Regional Lead Partner

Leadership team

John McHarry

Chief Technology Officer

Income Tax Budget 2025

Budget 2025 predictions: Potential 1% hike in Basic Rate of Income Tax

29th October 2025
Written by: Nikhil Oza
The rumour mill will not stop spinning in the run up to the Chancellor’s Budget on 26th November 2025, but the latest news around Income Tax is likely to upset a huge proportion of the...
link to Find Out More
VAT

Understanding the changes to the VAT penalty regime

28th October 2025
Written by: Ashraf Cuerdo
Keeping on top of VAT obligations is more important than ever, and the rules around penalties have recently changed. If you want confidence that your business is staying compliant while managing cash flow effectively, our...
link to Find Out More

Supreme Court decision in the Hotel La Tour case expected soon

27th October 2025
Written by: Sandy Cochrane
The Supreme Court is expected to release its decision shortly in the Hotel La Tour Limited case, which could have a major impact on how VAT is recovered on costs linked to share disposals. Talk...
link to Find Out More

Will the 2025 Autumn Budget make Family Investment Companies even more fashionable?

27th October 2025
Written by: Kelly Fern
Family Investment Companies (FICs) have been in fashion for several years now, and when structured correctly, they offer a flexible and tax-efficient alternative to traditional trusts when it comes to succession planning. With a FIC,...
link to Find Out More

Your guide to the audit process: answering common questions

27th October 2025
Written by: James Lole
Audits play a crucial role in the financial health and integrity of a business. Whether you’re running a small start-up or a large enterprise, understanding audits can bring clarity and confidence to your financial operations.
link to Find Out More

The 2025 Autumn Budget and what it might include

24th October 2025
Chancellor Rachel Reeves will deliver the Autumn Budget on 26th November 2025, against a backdrop of growing concern about a fiscal gap estimated between £20 billion and £50 billion. With a manifesto promise not to...
link to Find Out More