City of London Sinfonia Names Rowan Rutter as New CEO

Rutter brings experience in making theater productions accessible to diverse communities

The City of London Sinfonia (CLS) recently named Rowan Rutter as their incoming Chief Executive Officer, beginning in April 2023. She will take over from the current acting CEO, Elaine Barnes, who will return to her previous role as Chief Operating Officer.

Rutter comes to the role from a four-year period as the Executive Director of HighTide, a company that engages diverse communities in the world of new theater writing. She leaves HighTide in a strong financial position despite the pandemic and the challenges of the last three years.

Rutter's background is primarily in theater: she has more than 15 years of experience as a producer, and has worked on productions presented by the Royal Shakespeare Company, Leeds Playhouse, Northern Stage, and Cardboard Citizens — as well as productions abroad.

"I am delighted to be joining City of London Sinfonia as Chief Executive Officer," said Rutter of her appointment. "The organisation has, for over fifty years, championed and produced some of the most exciting talent in classical music in this country. And the ground-breaking, joyous and award-winning work in participation is at the heart of it all."

"I’m looking forward to working alongside the exceptional orchestral players, staff team and Board, and to building together a bright future for CLS."

"We are thrilled to have Rowan join us as Chief Executive Officer at this time of our own post-Covid ambitious relaunch of our exciting and differentiated journey," said John Singer, the Chairman of the CLS Board. "Not only has she demonstrated her impressive and transformational leadership skills and business acumen in several performing arts organisations — even in such challenging times experienced at HighTide — but she also shares our values and culture which drive all we do on and off the stage."

"Her love for audiences and artists, on a fully inclusive and accessible basis, and her striving to make them feel totally part of what we are creating together, is a vital part of our culture. Overall, she is an excellent match for CLS where we have consistently done things differently on all fronts — especially in our three-decade long commitment to innovative and engaging participation programs."