Jude Kelly

Founder of The WOW Foundation, Battersea Arts Centre & Solent People’s Theatre, Former Artistic Director at South Bank Centre & Former Arts Advisor for the UK Government

Jude Kelly’s Biography:

Jude Kelly is an acclaimed theatre director, producer and cultural leader whose career has transformed the arts while championing equality, creativity and social change. Best known as the Founder of the WOW (Women of the World) Foundation and the Founder and Director of the WOW Festival, Jude has created one of the world’s leading movements celebrating the achievements of women and girls. Her expertise in cultural leadership, storytelling and the creative industries has made her a sought-after keynote speaker. Through her internationally recognised talks, she inspires audiences to rethink leadership, inclusion and the role of the arts in shaping society.

Jude’s career began in 1976 when she founded Solent People’s Theatre, before establishing Battersea Arts Centre in 1980. Throughout the 1980s, she directed productions for the National Theatre of Brent, the Royal Shakespeare Company, York Festival & Mystery Plays, Channel 4 and Theatre & Opera Productions for English National Opera. In 1989, she founded The West Yorkshire Playhouse, serving as Artistic Director and CEO for 13 years, where she built its reputation as one of the UK’s leading regional theatres. She later became Director of the Paco Peña Flamenco Company before leading the South Bank Centre as Artistic Director for over a decade. Alongside these roles, she served as Arts Advisor to the UK Government and Creative Director of the International Festival for Business.

Beyond directing, Jude has founded influential organisations including Metal Culture, which supports innovative creative projects, and co-founded SmartPurse, promoting financial empowerment. She has also served on the National Advisory Committee for Culture, Creativity and Education and became a Visiting Fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Her contribution to British culture has been recognised through numerous honours, including appointment as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2015. She has also been named among Theatreland’s Top 100 Players and one of the UK’s 100 Most Powerful Women.

Today, Jude continues to shape international conversations around creativity, equality and cultural leadership as Artistic Director at Ripples of Hope while expanding the global reach of the WOW Foundation. Drawing on decades of experience leading world-class organisations and pioneering cultural initiatives, she offers audiences practical insights into inclusive leadership, innovation, purpose-driven organisations and the transformative power of storytelling. Her unique combination of artistic excellence and social advocacy makes her one of the UK’s most influential voices on creativity and change.

Why Hire Jude Kelly?

Jude Kelly is hired as a speaker for her exceptional ability to connect creativity with leadership, inclusion and social impact. Combining decades of experience leading internationally renowned cultural institutions with pioneering work through the WOW Foundation, she delivers thought-provoking presentations that challenge conventional thinking and inspire action. Her acclaimed TED Talks, including Why Women Should Share the Stories of Humanity and Help I Need a Man, demonstrate her engaging, accessible speaking style, while her experience advising government, founding global initiatives and directing major organisations enables her to provide audiences with practical strategies for innovation, collaboration, cultural transformation and empowering diverse voices.

Jude Kelly’s Career Highlights:

Here are some of the key milestones that define Jude Kelly’s remarkable career:

• 2020 – Appointed Artistic Director at Ripples of Hope, continuing to champion creativity and social change on a global stage.
• 2019 – Became a Visiting Fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science and co-founded SmartPurse.
• 2015 – Appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in recognition of her services to the arts.
• 2014 – Served as Creative Director for the International Festival for Business.
• 2011 – Founded the WOW (Women of the World) Foundation, creating a global movement celebrating women and girls.
• 2009 – Appointed Arts Advisor to the UK Government, contributing expertise on arts and cultural policy.
• 2006 – Became Artistic Director of the South Bank Centre, leading one of Europe’s largest arts centres.
• 2002 – Founded and became Chair of Metal Culture, supporting innovative creative projects and artistic collaboration.
• 1989 – Founded The West Yorkshire Playhouse, serving as Artistic Director and CEO for 13 years and establishing it as a leading regional theatre.
• 1976 – Founded Solent People’s Theatre, marking the beginning of her influential career in theatre, before later establishing Battersea Arts Centre in 1980.