ITALIA CONTI MARKS WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH AND ITS 115TH ANNIVERSARY BY CELEBRATING A LEGACY OF FEMALE LEADERSHIP

As Italia Conti, one of the UK’s longest-established and most influential performing arts schools, celebrates its 115^th anniversary in 2026, the institution is marking Women’s History Month by reflecting on a defining feature of its history; more than a century of female leadership that has shaped its values, culture and enduring impact on the performing arts sector. 

Since its founding in 1911, Italia Conti has been led by an extraordinary succession of women: Italia Conti, Ruth Conti, Eve Sheward, Anne Sheward, Sam Newton and current CEO Hayley Newton-Jarvis together represent an entirely uninterrupted lineage of female leadership spanning 115 years. This legacy is not only rare within the arts sector, but central to the institution’s identity and longevity. 

As the school enters its anniversary year, that heritage continues through a senior leadership team led by women across strategic, operational and artistic roles. Italia Conti is currently guided by Hayley Newton-Jarvis as Chief Executive Officer, Miranda Tatton-Brown as Chief Operating Officer, and Kathy-Ann Darmody as Finance Director, alongside Harriet Whitbread, Head of School of Acting, and Lucy Dungate, Artistic Producer. 

Together, these leaders reflect a model of leadership that has been passed down, refined and renewed over generations, one that places artistic excellence, care, discipline and opportunity at its core. 

Hayley Newton-Jarvis, CEO of Italia Conti, said: “As we celebrate 115 years of Italia Conti, I am constantly aware that I stand on the shoulders of the women who came before me. 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. Their commitment to excellence, fairness and opportunity continues to guide the decisions we make today.”

She continued: “This anniversary year is an opportunity to honour that legacy, but also to ensure that it remains alive and relevant. Female leadership at Italia Conti has never been symbolic, it has always been active, practical and deeply embedded in the culture of the organisation.” 

Miranda Tatton-Brown, Chief Operating Officer, added: “Being part of an organisation that has been led by women for 115 years creates a strong sense of empowerment and confidence. It allows us to lead with both empathy and rigour, and to build systems that support people as well as artistic ambition.” 

Kathy-Ann Darmody, Director of Finance, said: “Sustaining an arts organisation over more than a century requires careful stewardship and long-term thinking. Working within a leadership culture shaped by women over generations brings a sense of responsibility not just to the present, but to the future.” 

From an artistic perspective, Harriet Whitbread, Head of School of Acting, reflected on the impact of that legacy: “You feel the history of female leadership in the way the organisation operates day to day. It creates rehearsal rooms where care and challenge coexist, and where leadership feels visible, attainable and grounded.” 

Lucy Dungate, Artistic Producer, added: “As we move through this anniversary year, the influence of women who have led Italia Conti for over a century continues to resonate creatively. It gives permission to lead boldly, to collaborate deeply, and to place artistic integrity at the heart of everything we do.” 

As Italia Conti marks both Women’s History Month and its 115th anniversary, it does so by celebrating a legacy that remains active rather than historic. Female leadership has been a constant thread through the institution’s past, and continues to shape its future as it enters its next chapter.is year.