Ruth Badger YENW Ambassador
Every young person needs inspiration and with this in mind a regional education charity with an ideal to inspire has engaged a fantastic example to entice the enterprising spirit of the region’s young people. It also has one very special ingredient. To launch 2010, Young Enterprise North West, has re-engaged with the ideal role model to encourage not only innovation and business-thinking, but also a few stiff necks, as those business people of tomorrow look up to a great example from today, local businesswoman and TV celebrity Ruth Badger. Ruth will provide a voice of experience which meets with the aims of Young Enterprise and will partner the organisation’s unique method of engaging real business people in all its programmes for young people.
As someone who left education at the age of sixteen, Ruth’s experience of success will help Young Enterprise to inspire all young people.
Ruth Badger grew up in Wolverhampton. At 16 she left full time education, with just three G.C.S.E.’s, to join a Youth Training Scheme in the Civil Service. Her first big break came when she got a job working as a Processor for a local Financial Services Company.
Starting with no experience, Ruth quickly excelled. Promoted four times in just 18 months, Ruth was awarded four company awards based on her performance. This included the fantastic accolade of National Employee of the Year for GE Capital, receiving an all expenses cruise around Europe. Not content with her success, Ruth left GE Capital for another Financial Services Company based in the North West. At 24 years of age, not only did Ruth achieve an Executive level position, she also doubled her earning potential.
Quickly promoted, Ruth then transformed the company’s performance and turnover. Finally as Sales Director, she became accountable for all revenue generation and played a fundamental part in increasing the turnover from 3.1 million to 13.1 million in 2 years. Ruth played a major role in the flotation of the business on the Stock Market in 2004 and held an Executive board position for three years.
Then, the opportunity arose to apply for "The Apprentice".
Ruth proved week after week that she was the top performer in the show and excelled at all tasks. Outselling all other Executives in each task, Ruth consistently demonstrated her business acumen and ability. Ruth left the series after working for Sir Alan Sugar for 6 months in an Executive role.
Since leaving "The Apprentice", Ruth has gone on to achieve massive success. She has fronted her own trouble shooting show "Badger or Bust" and was a mentor in Sky one's "The Big Idea".
Ruth launched Ruth Badger Consultancy Ltd in June 2006 after leaving "The Apprentice". With countless major International Companies as clients, Ruth Badger Consultancy provides Company MOT's and 'real life' business advice. Ruth's second business, Ruth Badger academy Ltd, is a Careers, Enterprise and training company.
In her 32nd year Ruth Badger is walking proof that a positive attitude can get you where you want to be in business and in life.
Alongside illustrating that education can build futures, Ruth can help to display alternative routes to achievement, even for those who find it difficult to attain in the classroom. The morals of hard work and determination cement every part of Ruth’s past, from seventeen hour days and multiple jobs to running her own business and managing a media career. Young Enterprise requires partners who know what it takes to make it and Ruth is an ideal candidate.
Renowned American businessman Tom Peters once said "underpromise; overdeliver", a principle on which Ruth bases her business philosophy. This gentleman also said "Leaders don"t create followers - they create more leaders." This comment certainly rings true for Ruth"s new role, and in itself explains Young Enterprise"s delight at Ruth"s involvement.
Today, young people from the age of 4 to 25 have the modern advantage of receiving enterprise education and in the light of Young Enterprise delivery, the opportunity to meet and learn from real business people. With people like Ruth supporting the organisation"s aim "to inspire and equip young people to learn and succeed through enterprise", it seems that the Badger may not be as rare as many thought, as all young people in the North West are given an extra nudge towards an entrepreneurial future. For further information on how you can invest in your North West email Catherine Stewart or call 01925 233058.
For further information about Ruth and the work she does please use the following links:
