South Bank Centre and Chair of Culture, Artistic Director
Jude Kelly is Artistic Director of the South Bank Centre and Chair of Culture, Ceremonies and Education at the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games. Jude is an award-winning theatre director and, during her 27-year career, founded Solent People’s Theatre and then Battersea Arts Centre. In 1986 she joined the Royal Shakespeare Company before becoming the first Artistic Director of the West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds. As Artistic Director and then Chief Executive, she established the West Yorkshire Playhouse, an acknoweldged centre of excellence. In 2002, Jude founded METAL, artistic laboratory spaces in London, Liverpool and soon, Southend-on-Sea. As Chair of Culture and Education at London 2012, Jude was responsible for developing the culture, arts and education strands of London’s successful bid for the Olympics. She continues this role at LOCOG.