Jude Kelly CBE appointed as new Master

St Catherine’s College is delighted to announce the appointment of Jude Kelly CBE as Master of the College. She will take up the post from April 2025.

Jude Kelly CBE is an internationally acclaimed creative leader who has 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 equality and diversity. She is the former Artistic Director of the Southbank Centre and the Founder and current Head of Global Advisory of WOW – Women of the World which runs festivals and programmes in 26 countries. Jude Kelly has directed over 200 theatre and opera productions, led the Culture programme for the London Olympic and Paralympic 2012 bid and was  Cultural Leader in Residence for the World Economic Forum 2024.

She is Chair of One Creative North, a Board member of Creative UK and cultural adviser to The Eden Project.

The Pro-Master, Professor Bart van Es, says: ‘I’m absolutely delighted at the election of Jude Kelly as Master of St Catherine’s.  With her background at the Southbank Centre and in arts management more widely, she brings exactly the right experience to lead the College at this moment.  Jude has an inspiring vision for our future and we are all very excited about the prospect of working with her at Catz.’

Jude Kelly says, ‘It’s an honour to be appointed to the role of Master of St Catz College. I’m looking forward to contributing to its marvellous history and helping shape an exciting future.’

Jude Kelly will be the eighth Master of St Catherine’s College since its foundation in 1962.