Stella Kanu, Shakespeare's Globe incoming CEO. Kanu is a Black woman with short, dark brown hair; she sits in the Globe, though the background is blurred. She smiles at the camera.
Changing Faces

Kanu named Chief Executive of Shakespeare’s Globe

Arts Professional
2 min read

STELLA KANU will become Chief Executive of Shakespeare’s Globe in autumn this year.

With over 30 years experience working across theatre, festivals, and the cultural sector, Kanu is currently Executive Director of LIFT (London International Festival of Theatre). She is a former Executive Producer of Ovalhouse (now Brixton House), and has held various senior roles at organisations including Cardboard Citizens, Clean Break Theatre, and Theatre Royal Margate. 

Kanu’s previous work with Shakespeare’s Globe includes speaking at the Women and Power: Women and Leadership Symposium in 2019, and leading a photoshoot for Black Women in Theatre, where she gathered more than 250 black women and non-binary people working in theatre to celebrate their contribution to the industry. 

She succeeds current Chief Executive NEIL CONSTABLE, who will step down following 14-years in the role. 

“We owe a debt of gratitude to Neil Constable – what’s past is always prologue and we wouldn’t be here without standing on the shoulders of the giants who came before us,” Artistic Director MICHELLE TERRY said.

“Stella joins an incredible, predominantly female leadership team, who are all so delighted with not only the great experience Stella brings, but also her heart, soul, values, strength, and commitment to the profound impact that art, education, and culture can have.” 

Kanu added: “Shakespeare’s Globe is more than a theatre or Shakespeare’s workplace. It is an extraordinary meeting place of the past and the future held together with storytelling that questions what it means to be human.

“I remain humbled and ready to lead us into a future where access, equity and inclusion mean we can open our doors to everyone we can, where those who work with us are inspired to do their best work and those who support us see our true and lasting value.”