Sutton High School welcomed back one of its most distinguished alumnae last week as Dame Ruth Cairnie DBE (Class of 1971) returned to speak with current Sixth Form students—igniting fresh ambition and drive among the next generation of female leaders in business and engineering.
Reflecting on her own academic journey, Dame Ruth shared her early aspirations to study Natural Sciences at Cambridge. At the time, opportunities for women were limited, with only three colleges admitting female students, and not under the age of 18. Undeterred, she pursued her studies at the University of Bristol, graduating in 1974 with a BSc Joint Honours in Maths and Physics. She then progressed to Cambridge to complete Part III Maths, a path that led her to a research grant—and the remarkable opportunity to study black holes under the legendary Professor Stephen Hawking.
Dame Ruth’s impressive career trajectory includes board-level roles at some of the UK’s most influential organisations. She currently serves as Chair of Babcock International, is a non-executive director at BT, and sits on the board of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). A passionate advocate for equity and representation, she chairs POWERful Women, a national initiative promoting gender diversity in senior roles across the energy industry. She also holds the role of Industry Patron of the Women in Defence Charter.
Her visit left a lasting impact on students, who were inspired not only by her trailblazing achievements but also by her candid reflections and words of encouragement. As Sutton High continues its legacy of empowering young women, Dame Ruth’s story stands as a powerful testament to ambition, perseverance, and the importance of opening doors for others.
