In the second part of an obituary for the late Ruth Cutter, former managing director of ICTC, who died at the end of June, HousewaresNews.net features more heartfelt tributes from colleagues, including Geraldine Finnan, Jak Rayner and Will Crisp.
Will Crisp of Crisp & Dene, and former creative director of ICTC reflects:
“Having worked with Ruth in different forms for nearly ten years I was constantly surprised by her ability to spin plates. Quite how she managed conceive, develop, source and sell homewares all at once under pressure never failed to impress me.
Ruth’s ability to make time for customers, to make them feel valued, reassured, and understood even when she herself was managing complex situations was extraordinary. She took the business of business seriously but always with a strong sense of humanity and of course humour. Ruth loved people and people definitely loved Ruth.
I think the thing about Ruth, something that she wasn’t keen to say too much about, was that she was exceptionally experienced. Even after many years of knowing each other she would divulge some unbelievable piece of knowledge. To put it plainly Ruth wasn’t keen on showing off, she very competently got on with her job using her skill to bring to the housewares industry quality, innovative product. Sometimes I wonder did she really know quite how unusual her ability was, maybe that was what was so attractive about being with Ruth, her innocence and unpretentious willing attitude.
However much pressure she was under, however many emails she had to wade through, however much there was to do she attacked work with real commitment. Ruth achieved a lot; she contributed alot and she did so in such a way that she will be remembered as a woman in business who skilfully struck the balance between efficiency and compassion.
As many people know it was impossible to work so closely with Ruth without becoming close friends. Whilst the industry has lost someone important so have the individuals in that industry. Ruth delivered friendship and love with the same gusto that she approached everything in her life. She fearlessly threw herself into life and the people in her life. She was without question professionally and personally brave.
Whilst we are all stunned at Ruth’s passing, we must make time to remember her Partner Mark, her mother and sister who have suffered a devastatingly tragic loss.
Ruth is no longer with us but the work she contributed, the projects she started, and the skills she passed on are alive. As friends, colleagues and as an industry, using, celebrating, and acknowledging her contribution is important. Ruth is alive in our day to day lives, we will speak about her, laugh with her, and make time to remember quite how much she has contributed to so much of what we all do.
In her own words: “Tip top, carry on; you’ve all done splendidly.”
Geraldine Finnan, sales agent remembers ‘Ma’am Ruth’:
“Ruth came to ICTC in August of 2006 as a key account manager and the only thing I knew of her was that she had a textile background. I remember thinking how pretty she was and had a wonderful, warm smile. It was also very easy to make her laugh so that ticked all the boxes for me!
We clicked straight away and although we never used to see much of each other, we used to talk on the phone a great deal! When she was unsure about anything or unhappy, I used to tell her to ‘hang on in there’ as one day she would be running the company!
I left ICTC in 2007 in a ‘blaze of glory’ to go to Typhoon; only to return with my tail between my legs after Typhoon went into administration in 2009. Ruth was now sales director and very kindly offered me my job back, which was amazing, and I snapped her hand off. Ruth helped me in my career and personal life to a huge extent which I will never forget. She even managed to get me to Ambiente a few times, for which I was extremely grateful. I was a necessary element because I could order white wine and say: “She is very important you know!” in German.
As well as happy memories of our Ibiza holidays, we had countless hours of tremendous fun – although hard work – at trade shows, sales meetings, and nights out. I remained as an agent with ICTC, and Ruth went on to become managing director as I had predicted.
After the company went into liquidation (January 2019), Ruth and I remained friends. Ruth came along to Exclusively Housewares in June of 2019, hoping to get a job back in the trade but that never happened sadly. We did have a great giggle in the process though and everyone was delighted to see her as always.
Then came lockdown and the rest we know. There is only one person genuinely pleased that she has left us and that will be her dear late Dad, with whom she has a lot of catching up to do. Ruth, I’m sure you have found a suitable candidate to help you run our dream café, ‘Two Soups’ but, as I have already said, please save me a place on the dance floor. Rest easy dear heart. #canisitdownnow”
Jak Rayner, founder of C’est Ca! and director of ICTC from 2004 to 2009 looks back:
“Ruth immediately showed her passion for cookware and tabletop at her first interview for ICTC. When we joined her in the showroom, we found her head down on the lowest shelf, embracing a saucepan or maybe French earthenware. Only a little flustered, she immediately assured us she had not presented us first with her best asset. It didn’t take long to realise her quick wit was only part of the huge, joyous personality and talent she brought to the company. Her enthusiasm was infectious. She had a sure and tasteful eye for products and trends, creating a superb selection for the customers who loved and respected her.
Ruth was rightly proud of her Yorkshire roots and the resilience it gave her was sometimes tested, as is inevitable in business. So many people have mentioned ‘fun’ and ‘laughter’ as a part of their business relationship with Ruth. Everyone has a memory which brings a smile in a time of shock and grief. She was my dear friend, and we had many silly times at events in my village, now legendary. A neighbour housed her magnificent horse, Josh so she was part of village life, and we will take comfort, remembering the pair of them trotting through our lanes together.
She shone very brightly in our small firmament in business and our lives, and for far too short a time.”
A colleague of Ruth’s in her early years at ICTC, freelance sales professional Ann Hunt reflects: “Ruth was the ray of sunshine when I joined ICTC. It was an interesting and challenging time and Ruth, to her huge credit, stayed on to steer the company forward. Her enthusiasm, passion, skills, and knowledge for the industry shone through. Ruth’s brilliant sense of humour and people skills were appreciated and enjoyed by those that worked with her either as colleagues, customers, or suppliers. She will be greatly missed.”
Of course, Ruth continued to make a big impression on people in her personal life and work after leaving the housewares industry. David and Susan Wilson, directors of Deltic Developments (landlords of Ruth’s office for Rima UK), also pay tribute to “Ruth’s extraordinary personality and character,” elaborating that Ruth was: “Always courteous, yet efficient; supremely confident, yet considerate; able at once to set all at ease, yet at the same time to absorb and record every point – even nuance – made, then to go on and accurately summarise all this in the most succinct way. Yet, whatever the circumstances, Ruth’s indomitable optimism and inherent good humour was always present.”
* To read more of the industries’ tributes to Ruth see Industry reels at sad loss of Ruth Cutter and Memories of Ruth
* Progressive Housewares’ latest issue dedicates a page to Ruth (see page 10)
Top: Ruth is remembered for her infectious smile. She also took great pride in UK manufacturing at ICTC’s textile factory in Norwich.
