Jill Shaw Ruddock
Jill Shaw Ruddock | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jill Ann Shaw Error: Need valid birth date: year, month, day Baltimore, Maryland, United States |
| Other names | Lady Ruddock |
| Occupation(s) | Philanthropist, writer, former investment banker |
| Years active | 1980s–present |
| Known for | Philanthropy focused on arts and older adults; author of The Second Half of Your Life; founder of The Second Half Foundation |
| Notable work | The Second Half of Your Life (2011) |
Jill Ann Shaw, Lady Ruddock, born in November 1955, is a philanthropist, writer, and former investment banker based in London. Her philanthropic efforts primarily focus on the arts and enhancing the well-being of individuals aged over 50. She is married to Sir Paul Ruddock.
Early life
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Ruddock completed her secondary education at Northwestern High School before obtaining a Politics degree from Bowdoin College. Early in her career, she worked in advertising and publishing with companies such as Young & Rubicam, Inc. Magazine, and The Atlantic. Relocating to London in 1983, she co-managed The Government Research Corporation prior to joining Alex. Brown & Sons in 1985. Rising to managing director by 1994, she oversaw the mergers of the firm’s European equity division with both Bankers Trust and Deutsche Bank.
Philanthropy
Following her departure from Alex Brown in 1999, Ruddock took on trustee roles at The Donmar Warehouse and The Mousetrap Theatre Projects, an organization dedicated to providing theatre opportunities for underprivileged young people. She also served a decade-long trusteeship at Bowdoin College. Together with her husband, she has contributed to prominent cultural entities including The Victoria and Albert Museum, the British Museum, the Courtauld Institute of Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Bowdoin College’s Museum of Art. The couple are ambassadors for AfriKids, supporting vulnerable children in Ghana.
They act as patrons for The Donmar Warehouse, The Mousetrap Theatre Projects, The Hampstead Theatre, The National Theatre, and Almeida Theatre. In May 2015, Ruddock was honored as "Chevalier dans Ordre des Arts et Lettres" by the French Ministry of Culture in recognition of her contributions to French art. Additionally, she received a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2016 New Year Honours for her philanthropic initiatives benefiting older adults.
The Second Half of Your Life
Ruddock authored The Second Half of Your Life (Vermilion, 2011), which explores positive ageing with menopause serving as a turning point toward a rewarding later life. The book offers actionable guidance on topics such as finances, dating, divorce, physical activity, re-entering the workforce, libido, marriage, andropause, and personal appearance. Central to her philosophy is the "Five A Day" framework for healthy ageing: purpose, passion, exercise, nutrition, and social engagement. Now in its ninth printing and issued in mass market paperback in March 2015, the work seeks to redefine ageing in a positive light. All earnings are directed to The Second Half Foundation.
The Second Half Foundation and Second Half Centre
Ruddock is the founder and chairperson of The Second Half of Life Foundation (Reg 1141988), a charitable organization addressing loneliness among people aged over 50 from varied backgrounds through community hubs. The inaugural Second Half Centre launched in October 2012 at NHS St. Charles's Hospital in North Kensington, embodying the "Five A Day" principles by providing social interaction, skill development, and exercise activities for a modest fee. Notable supporters include Jeremy Hunt MP, Maureen Lipman, and Ruby Wax. The Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea designated it as her charity of the year for 2011–2012.
The Foundation aims to create a sustainable approach to tackling ageing-related issues within contemporary society. Beyond the original centre—currently operated by Open Age with a membership exceeding 4,000 and offering more than 80 hours of weekly activities—Ruddock expanded its reach by collaborating with the Diocese of London to establish four additional Second Half Clubs located in church premises available on non-service days: St Stephen, St Andrews, St Paul's, and St Mary The Boltons.
Awards
- Jewish Care Woman of Distinction Award 2012
- Veuve Clicquot, Woman of The Year Tribute 2012
- Bowdoin College Common Good Award 2012
- Included in The Libertine 100 2015 for "...breaking down age-related stereotypes"
- Honoured as Chevaliers dans Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in May 2015
- Appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) during the 2016 New Year Honours for charitable contributions benefiting older adults
Personal life
Since 1991, she has been married to Sir Paul Ruddock, who co-founded the Lansdowne Partners hedge fund. They have two grown daughters and live in Notting Hill.
Bibliography
- Ruddock, Jill Shaw (2011). The Second Half of Your Life (1st ed.). Vermillion
- Ruddock, Jill Shaw (2015). The Second Half of Your Life (2nd ed.). Vermillion
External links
- Pages with script errors
- Articles with short description
- Age error
- Articles with hCards
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- American investment bankers
- American philanthropists
- British women
- Bowdoin College alumni
- British philanthropists
- British writers
- Businesspeople from Baltimore
- Chevaliers of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
- Directors of museums in the United States
- Women museum directors
- Living people
- American patrons of the arts
- British patrons of the arts
- Philanthropists from London
- Philanthropic organisations based in England
- Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
- American emigrants to England
- Naturalised citizens of the United Kingdom
- Wives of knights
- 1955 births