Our CEO, Lesley Rudd, believes that eliminating discrimination and bias starts with how we raise and educate the next generation. For her, equality isn’t only about supporting women – it’s about ensuring that everyone is treated fairly and with respect, regardless of gender, background, or identity.
This Women’s History Month, Lesley reflects on the contributions women have made throughout history and continue to make today. At Electrical Safety First, we are proud to celebrate the incredible individuals, including the remarkable women, who help shape the work of the charity. In this interview, we speak with our CEO, Lesley Rudd, whose career is a testament to determination, strong leadership, and a genuine passion for inspiring and supporting the next generation.
Lesley shares her experiences, insights, and the core values that have guided her career – starting with the powerful influence of her mother, to her thoughts on the role of CEOs in shaping inclusive workplaces.
Who inspired you to pursue your career?
My mother inspired me. She was intelligent, hardworking and a feminist. She was also interested in politics and influenced me to always vote and take an interest in our democracy. Her male ancestors had not been allowed to vote as they were not property owners and her female ancestors because they were women. So, she taught me the value of having the right to vote and instigated my lifelong interest in politics.
Did you always know what you wanted to do as a career?
No, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I came from a working-class background in North East England where the priority was to get a job, rather than choose a career.
I have though had a varied career. I did a degree in Business Studies then qualified as an Accountant and worked in different locations and business areas, including customer service, business development, finance, commercial negotiations and public affairs. I enjoyed working in Policy and Public Affairs the most as I love being able to influence legislation and government policy and of course I have a strong interest in politics.
This year’s theme for #WomensHistoryMonth is ‘Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.’ How do you think women CEOs can help to drive positive change and inspire future generations?
I think all leaders should see developing people as an important part of their role and make time to do this. I certainly do.
It also helps if future generations can see different people as CEOs. Women as well as men, people of different ethnicities and also people from different social backgrounds. Even people with Geordie accents!
So, I hope that seeing (and hearing) a woman CEO from a working-class background may make other people from similar backgrounds realise they can become a CEO.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in this field, and how did you overcome them?
I have always worked in the energy industry and in male dominated areas. I remember applying for a promotion early in my career and my boss queried why I was applying and asked, “Don’t you want to get married and have children?”
I just ignored these types of comments, worked hard, pushed on with my career – and also got married and had two children!
What have been your greatest achievements during your time at Electrical Safety First?
We have done some excellent lifesaving work, such as our #BatteryBreakdown campaign on lithium-ion batteries since I have been at ESF. But the thing I have found the most rewarding, and of which I am most proud, is seeing the people working at Electrical Safety First develop and grow. We have great people!
What advice would you give to women interested in becoming a CEO?
I think being a CEO is about leading and motivating your team to achieve your goals. It’s about building and maintaining positive relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, and partners and creating a culture of collaboration and trust.
These are not skills that are only held by men - women have these skills. So, I would say, believe in yourself, be yourself, and strive to be whatever you want to be.
What does #WomensHistoryMonth mean to you?
Women have so often been ignored historically. I am a big fan of history, but documented history is mainly about men. I think we need to change this and talk about and write about the achievements and contributions of women as well as men.
Do you have any ideas about how we can all eliminate discrimination and bias?
I think it starts at the very beginning – with children. We are not born bigoted. My children went to nursery and school with boys and girls from different cultures and with different coloured skin and never made any distinction. We need to respect differences but treat people equally throughout life, and in and out of the workplace. It starts with what we teach our children.
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