We caught up with our co-founder and Strategic Engagement & Impact Lead, Ruth, to learn more about her background, working at Oxygen, and what impact means to her.
Why is working at Oxygen important to you, and how do our values show up in the way you manage projects and relationships?
It’s really important to me to be working in a values-aligned workplace. Oxygen ticks all of the boxes for me! It’s female owned and led, a certified B Corp, a living wage employer, and it lives its values through commitments like the Clean Creatives Pledge, Better Business Act, Design Declares and the Ethical Agency Alliance.
I think that, because we as a team are so bought in to what Oxygen is about at its core (sustainable and accessible design for brands making a difference) we intrinsically bring these values to every project we work on. For me, I’m always thinking through the lens of sustainability and impact, thinking about how I can collaborate with my clients to showcase the amazing work they’re doing – and spotting things they might not have yet brought into their communications. I also like to think I bring a level of empathy and care into my client relationships, really putting myself in their shoes and getting a deep understanding of their challenges and opportunities so we can help their brand be the best it can be.
How does being a B Corp influence the way you approach account management?
The B Corp movement is all about using business as a force for good – and this shows up in my account management through empathy, attention to detail and my knowledge of sustainability. We hold ourselves accountable not just to our clients, but also to our employees, communities, and the environment. In account management, this translates into building relationships that are based on transparency, long-term value, and mutual respect.
I aim to be a trusted advisor who helps them meet their business objectives while also advancing positive impact, prioritising ethical communication, inclusive collaboration, and transparency.
How does working with purpose-led clients make your role more fulfilling?
It’s everything to me – I genuinely can’t imagine not working with organisations working for a better world. It makes getting out of bed in the morning much easier when there’s such a clear sense of purpose. I also feel like I’m learning every day, as our clients have such interesting and varied projects.
Can you share a project that you felt proud to work on?
I’m proud of all of our work, and it’s honestly hard to choose just one, but this year I really enjoyed working with Community First Oxfordshire on their rebrand and subsequent website design and build. I think the new brand really captures their essence – preserving their heritage as a community organisation whilst also giving them a sense of modernity to take with them on their next stage of growth. We also pioneered our accessibility audit partnership with MyVision Oxfordshire during this process which was amazing to see.
Who would be your dream client to work with?
I’d love to work with an organisation that’s paving the way for a more sustainable financial landscape- like Bank Green or Tribe Impact Capital. I think it’s so important that we collectively become more aware of where our investments like pensions go, on a personal and business level. Most people don’t know if their banks are funding unethical projects and these organisations are helping us on that path.
Ruth Davis
As the Strategic Engagement & Impact Lead and Co-Founder at Oxygen, I specialise in building strong partnerships, leading high-impact projects, and guiding organisations on how to embed sustainability into their communications and strategy. With a Master’s degree in Sustainable Development and a background in strategic and digital communications, I’ve worked with a wide range of organisations – from climate-focused startups and B Corps to membership bodies and community development charities. My experience spans brand development, messaging and strategy, and website projects, all with a clear focus on purpose and impact. At the core of my approach is collaboration. I’m passionate about aligning big ideas with practical action, helping teams turn values into value and purpose into progress.
