English National Opera (ENO) has today announced the appointment of Helen Shute as its next Chief Executive Officer. She will take up the role in November, alongside that of Chief Executive of the London Coliseum, the company's London base. She will succeed Jenny Mollica, who steps down in May to join the Roundhouse in Camden.
Shute, an “exceptional leader with a strong track record in the cultural sector, combining artistic ambition with operational excellence,” according to ENO Chair Louise Jeffreys, is currently Chief Executive and Executive Producer of Rambert, a role she has held since 2017. During her tenure, she established Rambert2, a new ensemble for exceptional early career dancers, and led Rambert to become the first dance company to adapt a major television series for the stage, co-producing Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby. Her early career in dance included co-founding the Hofesh Shechter Company with the acclaimed choreographer, whom she met whilst working as Programming Associate at The Place in London.
Shute's new role comes at a pivotal moment for ENO, as it expands its work in Manchester while continuing to present a season in London, a move that was prompted by the Arts Council England's removal of its status as a National Portfolio Organisation in 2022. During a period of turmoil after the announcement, ACE announced an additional pot of funding to allow the company more time to make the required move outside of London, with a deadline for it to be fully established by 2029. The company will be eligible to reapply for core funding from this year.
“I’m delighted to join English National Opera and London Coliseum Limited and to have the opportunity to shape the ambitions of a national organisation at such an exciting time in its extraordinary history,” said Shute of her appointment.
