Founder of WOW-Women of the World, Master of St Catherine's College, Oxford
Jude Kelly CBE is an internationally acclaimed creative leader having founded and steered some of the world’s most prestigious cultural institutions, arts festivals, charities, and outreach programmes. A pioneer for social progress, Kelly is renowned for championing inclusion, gender equity and diversity. She is former Artistic Director of the Southbank Centre, and the Founder of WOW – Women of the World which runs festivals and programmes in 26 countries. Kelly has directed over 200 theatre and opera productions. In 2015 she was awarded a CBE for services to the Arts and throughout her career has advised governments on arts, education and social mobility. Kelly is Chair of the newly launched One Creative North, a bold new vision for the north of England’s creative industries. In April 2025 Kelly became Master of St Catherine’s College, Oxford.