English National Opera (ENO) today announces the appointment of Helen Shute as its new Chief Executive Officer, as the company continues to build on its bold artistic programme and national impact. In addition to leading ENO, Helen will also become Chief Executive of London Coliseum Limited, taking up both roles in November 2026. Helen will succeed Jenny Mollica, who steps down in May after six years with the company.
Helen has broad experience across the dance, arts and entertainment sectors. She is currently Chief Executive and Executive Producer of Rambert, a role she has held since 2017. During her tenure, Helen has led an ambitious programme of new commissions and major revivals, working with partners including The Royal Ballet and Manchester International Festival. She expanded Rambert’s national and international reach, significantly growing audiences and strengthening its position as one of the world’s leading contemporary dance companies. In partnership with Rambert School, she established Rambert2, a highly acclaimed new ensemble for exceptional early career dancers. She also led Rambert to become the first dance company to adapt major television intellectual property for the stage, co-producing Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby, with Birmingham Hippodrome and Lowry, which is currently touring in China. Helen has also driven a strong focus on access and participation, launching Early Moves, a pioneering initiative supporting nursery children’s motor skills and school readiness, delivered withNHS Greater Manchester and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).
Prior to her role at Rambert, Helen was Chief Operating Officer of House Productions, the London based independent film and TV production company, working with Tessa Ross and Juliette Howell to establish a new home for talent across television, drama and feature films. House was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Television Movie of its first televised drama Brexit – The Uncivil War and won Best Adapted Screenplay for Conclave at the Academy Awards 2025.
In 2008, Helen co-founded Hofesh Shechter Company with the acclaimed choreographer, after producing his seminal works Uprising (2006) and In your rooms (2007) whilst working as Programming Associate at The Place from 2005 to 2007 on a fellowship awarded by Arts Council England. Under her leadership, Hofesh Shechter Company grew to become a major national and international presence establishing significant partnerships with high profile venues in the UK and in many international dance capitals.
Helen will take up the role at a pivotal moment for ENO, as it expands its work in Greater Manchester while continuing to present a season in London. Across the country, ENO delivers an ambitious programme of learning and participation, opening up opera to people of all ages and backgrounds, alongside its award-winning creative health initiative, ENO Breathe.
Louise Jeffreys, Chair, English National Opera Board, said: “We’re delighted to appoint Helen Shute as Chief Executive of English National Opera and London Coliseum Limited, following a rigorous process led by the ENO Board. Helen is an exceptional leader with a strong track record in the cultural sector, combining artistic ambition with operational excellence and a deep commitment to broadening access to the arts. The Board was unanimous in its decision, and we are confident Helen will provide strong and thoughtful leadership as the company approaches its centenary. Working alongside the outstanding creative leadership of Annilese Miskimmon and André de Ridder, and building on the excellent legacy left by Jenny Mollica, Helen will shape a bold and sustainable future for ENO in London, Greater Manchester and nationally.”
Helen Shute said: “I’m delighted to join English National Opera and London Coliseum Limited and to have, alongside the daring artistic leadership of Annilese Miskimmon and André de Ridder, the opportunity to shape the ambitions of a national organisation at such an exciting time in its extraordinary history. It’s an honour to build on Jenny Mollica and her brilliant leadership team’s achievements and to join an exceptional group of artists, staff and partners who believe in the fundamental importance of art to the human experience and that opera should belong to everyone. I look forward to together imagining an innovative new future for opera in Greater Manchester, London and worldwide.”
Photo credit: Hugo Glendinning