As the United Kingdom marks Women’s History Month, one of its most storied performing arts institutions is celebrating a milestone that is nearly unparalleled in the arts sector. In 2026, Italia Conti marks its 115th anniversary, honoring an extraordinary, uninterrupted lineage of female leadership that has defined the school since its inception in 1911.
From founder Italia Conti to current CEO Hayley Newton-Jarvis, the institution has been guided by a succession of visionary women including Ruth Conti, Eve Sheward, Anne Sheward, and Sam Newton. This century-plus of female stewardship is not merely a historical footnote; it is the core of the school's identity.
A Legacy in Action
Today, that heritage remains vibrant through a senior team led by women across every major pillar of the organization. CEO Hayley Newton-Jarvis is joined by Chief Operating Officer Miranda Tatton-Brown and Finance Director Kathy-Ann Darmody, alongside artistic leaders Harriet Whitbread and Lucy Dungate.
"The leadership of my grandmother, my aunt, and my mother shaped not only this institution, but my understanding of what leadership in the arts can and should be," says Hayley Newton-Jarvis. "Female leadership at Italia Conti has never been symbolic; it has always been active, practical, and deeply embedded in the culture."
Empathy, Rigour, and Future Stewardship
The impact of this long-standing culture is felt in the day-to-day operations of the school. Miranda Tatton-Brown notes that this history "allows us to lead with both empathy and rigour," while Harriet Whitbread, Head of the School of Acting, observes that it creates an environment where "leadership feels visible, attainable, and grounded."
For Kathy-Ann Darmody, the 115-year milestone is a reminder of the careful stewardship required to sustain an arts organization through shifting eras. "Working within a leadership culture shaped by women over generations brings a sense of responsibility not just to the present, but to the future," she explains.
As Italia Conti enters its next chapter, it stands as a testament to the power of a model that prioritizes artistic integrity and opportunity—values passed down and refined over 115 years.
