Ruth Robb - the CEO and co-founder of Luton-based charity Azalea - from Harpenden has been made a finalist for the national Best Businesswoman Awards for 2023.

In 2007 the charity utlised a small team of volunteers to reach out to anyone trapped in sex trafficking, primarily in Luton and Bedfordshire.

It now employs nine full-time equivalent staff and 80 volunteers.

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The organisation provides those it supports with dedicated services and individual pathways to recovery.

Fifteen years after the charity was founded it turned over £450,000 as 2022 drew to a close.

In 2018, Ruth launched Luton Against Sex Trafficking (LAST).

                                                                                            

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This project aimed to "eradicate" on and off-street sex trafficking in the centre of the Luton community.

She also founded Faith Against Child Exploitation - Sexual (FACES), which brings together members from the local Muslim and Christian faiths to collaborate and "stand against" child exploitation.

A spokesperson for Azalea said: "Through Ruth’s commitment and dedication, the Azalea model has since developed into a national and international model, with a particular emphasis on Burundi, Greece, Hong Kong, Russia and South Africa.

"In her spare time, she sits on various boards and committees – including the Serious Sexual Assault Board (SSAB) part of local counties, the NHS Sexual Assault Referral Centre, and the APPG round table on Modern Day Slavery, covering sexual exploitation."