Helen Walker MBE

Helen is a highly experienced arts manager, having led teams across a wide variety of arts settings. Prior to joining Theatreplan, she spent over 10 years running Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery, a Grade I listed historic house and contemporary art gallery in west London. She oversaw all operational elements, including finance and fundraising, conservation, communications, HR and the commercial business. Helen was one of the initiators of a major capital redevelopment project for the house and gallery and was later instrumental in raising the public and private funding to ensure it came to fruition. As a result, she was awarded an MBE in the 2017 Queen’s Birthday Honours List, for services to heritage and the community in Ealing.

Helen’s earlier experience was focused entirely on theatre. She began her career at the British Council Drama and Dance department, moving on to work for a theatre logistics company, Theatours. Later, as a practitioner, she co-founded the theatre company Outrageous Acts, writing and directing in London and on tour. After producing and directing her own first play at the Finborough Theatre, she was a finalist for the Arts Council/BAC Young Director of the Year Award. She has a Masters degree in Theatre Arts from Goldsmiths, University of London and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Helen feels her past experience, particularly as a project client and fundraiser, means she is able to offer insights into the client’s perspective and the key drivers behind decision making. She leads on business development, finance, marketing and HR.