Following an incredible 14 years at the LGBT+ charity – the last five of which were spent as chief executive – Ruth will be leaving to “pursue a new opportunity” in August, according to a statement released on Thursday, February 21.

“The past 14 years have been transformative for me, both personally and professionally,” she said.

“I am incredibly proud of how much we have achieved as an organization and am honoured that I have been the person to lead this change at Stonewall.

“Recognising the diverse experience and the within LGBT communities, exploring intersectional identities and looking deeply at multiple forms of discrimination, has not always been a comfortable conversation for Stonewall to have but it has been a vital one.

“Expanding our work to ensure we are more closely speaking alongside and sharing power with these communities is a journey we are still one, and one that I am confident will excite a new leader.”

https://twitter.com/ruth_hunt/status/1098604129394585601

Since taking on the leadership, Hunt has enabled the charity to become fully trans-inclusive; a dedication which has shaped the charity moving forward creating real change for the LGBT+ community.

During her time as CEO, Hunt has helped the organisation through a significant growth period, with staff numbers increasing from 75 to 160, and income growing from £5.3 million to £8.69 million, according to Stonewall.

Ruth continued: “I could not be prouder to have led this amazing organization for the past five years and look forward to seeing it – and all the amazing people that work for it – go from strength to strength in years to come.”

Jan Gooding, Chair of the Board of Trustees, said: “Ruth has been a visionary, bold and inspirational leader during her years at Stonewall. We are incredibly grateful for her generous leadership, her unwavering commitment, and her unmatched drive. We will all miss her dearly.”

Hunt said: “I have decided it’s time for someone else to lead this fantastic organisation and take it into the next chapter,” without giving any further reasons for her decision.

A replacement for Hunt is yet to be announced but she assures in the statement that she has no doubt that the board will find an exceptional new CEO to continue the charity’s great work for the LGBT+ community.