Rowan Rutter appointed CEO of City of London Sinfonia

London-based chamber orchestra City of London Sinfonia (CLS) has announced the appointment of Rowan Rutter to the role of chief executive officer. Rutter will join CLS in April 2023 when acting CEO Elaine Baines will return to the post of chief operating officer.

Rutter joins CLS from theatre company HighTide, where she has been executive director and joint chief executive for the past four years. Rutter helped the company weather the pandemic and find its place in the East of England cultural landscape.

John Singer, chairman of the CLS board, said: ‘Not only has [Rutter] 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.’

Rutter’s experience also includes roles with cultural organisations including Hull Truck Theatre, Avant Garde Dance and Clean Break Theatre as well as more than 15 years as an international producer. In 2020 Rutter co-led the development of the Anti-Racism for Theatre Rider, a national campaign aiming to support more equitable working conditions for touring shows and events.

Rutter said: ‘I am delighted to be joining City of London Sinfonia as Chief Executive Officer. 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.’