Ruth Whitehead trained as a classical musician and managed to exist in almost complete ignorance of the financial services industry until she was advised by a man in a suit to take out the mortgage from hell.
She became transformed by adversity into a very angry expert on finance, and in 1993 RWA was born.
RWA is a small company with a national profile.
Ruth is frequently quoted in the national press and trade publications, has broadcast on BBC 4’s Money Box programme, BBC News and BBC London radio, and writes for the Guardian and Observer newspapers, amongst others.
We are very proud of our work making responsible and ethical investments for our clients. We are repeatedly recognised with awards by the finance industry, after receiving nominations and votes from those clients, which is doubly rewarding.
We were delighted to celebrate our 25th anniversary in 2018.
Ruth Whitehead
Ruth and colleague Eamonn Malik celebrate her being a finalist at the Women in Investment Awards 2019, proudly displaying their LGBTQIA+ umbrella
We believe the only way is ethics and will help you tailor your investments accordingly.
“When I first approached Ruth, my immediate concern was an endowment mortgage, supported by an ISA that was unlikely to meet the cost of the initial loan. At the time the only advice I had received on investments was from financial services salesmen with a vested interest in their particular products. Ruth’s impact has been transformational. MY ISA was moved and quickly grew in value to meet the cost of my loan.
“However it is Ruth’s impact on my pension which has been truly remarkable. As a result of her impressive market understanding, I have seen my investments double in value, Brexit and COVID notwithstanding. Taking independent advice on your life’s assets requires trust. You have no room for error. I have implicit faith in Ruth and her remarkable team, based on what she has delivered. That is why I recommend her services to anyone with an interest in securing their financial future”
JC, November 2020
“I found Ruth and RWA via the FSA website and she changed my life within a few minutes of our first conversation. Her focus, drive, clarity and energy made everything that had looked insurmountably difficult suddenly seem achievable in a way that I didn’t know numbers could, what is more she achieved it within weeks.”
KL, Victoria Park
Us in our community
Ruth is a financial adviser with a difference. She has a head for figures but a passion for notes.
She is obsessed with music, and sharing it with everyone – particularly those who wouldn’t otherwise have access to classical music, the opportunity to learn an instrument, or sing.
As part of her business ethic, Ruth puts her money where her mouth is. She is passionate about the importance of learning and culture in the community, and creating opportunities for everyone to access both.
RWA sponsors local education, music and arts initiatives through its Ethics in Action initiative (EiA)….
• donated £2,600 to St Matthias School so every child gets a food voucher for half term October 2020
• sponsoring live acoustic shows by indie singers and musicians in St Matthias Church, working with the team who curate those stylish and classy music events at London’s most intimate and iconic venue, St Pancras Old Church, October 2020 onwards
• £5,000 donated to St Matthias School by DissentersArtsN16 charity to fund a year’s sessions with The Garden Classroom providing urban children with transformative outdoor experiences to encourage active lifestyles, promote self-discovery, inspire growth and stimulate respect for nature, September 2020
• funded a virtual concert by internationally acclaimed vocalist and composer Clara Sanabras and maverick musician Harvey Brough at St Matthias, whose streaming raised £3,000 for our charity DissentersArtsN16, June 2020
• £5,000 secured to purchase reading books representing the diverse backgrounds of pupils at St Matthias School, June 2020
• £1,000 donated to the Covid-19 Emergency Fund for the Akwaaba social centre for migrants in Hackney, May 2020
• £4,000 donated to St Matthias School to purchase creative toolkits for ALL 232 pupils during Covid-19 lockdown from the DissentersArtsN16 charity which Ruth founded and is a trustee, May 2020 (see Hackney Gazette)
• £5,000 donated to St Matthias School for 30 much-needed laptops for IT classes, March 2020
• sponsored quiz night fundraiser for Young Dissenters’ choir which raised £2,000, January 2020
• £500 donation supporting Christmas lunch at St Matthias Hall for older and isolated people, December 2019
• £300 donation for the St Matthias School Christmas panto, December 2019
• sponsored Chorus of Dissent’s Christmas Carols which raised £1,500 for St Matthias Church, December 2019
• sponsored De Las Pampas a la Amazonia concert at St Matthias Church for those affected by the Bolivian rainforest fires raised £1,000, October 2019
• sponsored Stokebourne festival in aid of St Matthias Church rewiring and lighting appeal which raised £3,500, July 2019. See Hackney Gazette
Ruth founded and conducts Stoke Newington community choir Chorus of Dissent, youth choir Young Dissenters, and professional orchestra the Elastic Band. Their concerts have been a sellout since inception. Their profits are always donated to charitable causes (including Hackney Migrants Centre, its social offshoot Akwaaba, The Rebuild Barbuda Fund after Hurricane Irma). Their prices are always subsidised and affordable.
St Matthias Halls
We also manage St Matthias Halls – three delightful but very different spaces which we offer to the community for everyone’s events – weddings, christenings, birthday parties, quiz nights, concerts, funerals. Make yours an event to remember…
As part of our business ethic RWA sponsors local arts events. We are passionate about the importance of culture and community.
RWA in the media on culture
Stokebourne midsummer festival on July 5-6 2019 is Ruth’s brainchild to raise desperately-needed funds for the urgent rewiring of St Matthias Church, starring John Hegley, Chorus of Dissent, Shkembe Soup and the Gaga Ladies’ cabaret
Hackney Gazette
Ruth hits fundraising target to donate grand piano to St Matthias Church
Hackney Gazette
Ruth is appointed Principal conductor and artistic director of Antigua and Barbuda Youth Symphony Orchestra, and welcomes The National Youth Choir of Antigua and Barbuda to give a joint concert with Chorus of Dissent
Hackney Gazette
Chorus of Dissent in the Irish Times’ May Bank Holiday top picks list
Irish Times
Chorus of Dissent brings Gilbert & Sullivan opera to Stokey
Hackney Gazette
Ruth’s Chorus of Dissent fundraising gala concert for Antigua Barbuda:
Hackney Gazette
World Première of Clara Sanabras’ A Hum About Mine Ears:
clarasanabras.co.uk
Health and freedom:
FT Adviser
Raising the roof with performance poet John Hegley:
Hackney Gazette
Thank you so very much for the fundraising events for Hackney Migrant Centre and Akwaaba. We’re delighted to be receiving £4,000. This will go a very long way in supporting the work we do with vulnerable migrants. Please pass on our profound thanks to everyone involved in the concert.
Daf Viney, Hackney Migrant Centre