Welsh National Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru has announced the appointment of Catherine Cassidy-Dedics as Executive Director and Jo Walsh as Executive Producer, strengthening the Company’s senior leadership team as it continues to build the opera company of the future.
Catherine joins WNO from the Jameel Arts & Health Lab, where she is Global Director of Healing Arts and Director of International Engagement, leading international programmes and partnerships that champion the impact of arts and culture on health and well-being influencing policy, research and system change.
A senior cultural industry leader with particular expertise in organisational change, community engagement and policy working, Catherine was Director of Organisational Culture & Engagement at Scottish Ballet for 15 years.
As Executive Director, Catherine will bring this extensive leadership and international experience to WNO, overseeing the Company’s business and operations and working across the organisation and with key external partners and stakeholders to support its long-term ambitions.
Catherine said: “It’s a privilege to join Welsh National Opera at a time of transformation and opportunity. Together we have the chance to reimagine what an opera company can be – honouring WNO’s remarkable heritage while creating the opera of the future: artistically ambitious, deeply connected to our communities, and relevant to audiences across Wales and beyond.
“WNO has an extraordinary artistic legacy, and I’m excited to work with colleagues, artists, audiences and partners to build an opera company that is bold, inclusive and sustainable for generations to come. I’m also delighted to be moving to Cardiff, a city with such a vibrant cultural identity. My partner and I look forward to becoming part of its community.”
Jo Walsh has been appointed Executive Producer, bringing over 20 years of producing experience across art forms including theatre, dance, site-specific and large-scale outdoor events across the UK and internationally.
Specialising in artist-led new and cross-discipline work, Jo has most recently been in post as Head of Producing for the National Theatre Scotland, overseeing the delivery of their dynamic and diverse artistic programme. Other producing roles have included Edinburgh International Festival, Manchester International Festival and Sadlers Wells.
From September 2025, Jo completed a four-month freelance role as a Consultant Executive Producer at WNO, before becoming Interim Executive Producer in January 2026.
Jo’s role will play a central part in delivering WNO’s new artistic vision, bringing teams together from across the Company into a newly created Artistic Department, to create a more integrated approach to developing and producing its work. With all strands of WNO’s output gathered under one umbrella (core programme, orchestra, Boiler Room and engagement), Jo will oversee the creation and delivery of WNO’s ambitious, world-class programme while helping to develop efficient and sustainable ways of working.
“I’m thrilled to be joining in this new role at such an important time in WNO’s history,” Jo said.
“I’ve loved the last 9 months at the Company working with my brilliant colleagues, who have such a depth of expertise and passion for the art form of opera. WNO holds a really special and important place in the arts ecology in Wales. Under Sarah and Adele’s leadership and artistic vision, I believe this will be the most exciting place to be making work in the UK.
“We are wanting to revolutionise how opera is made and build the opera company of the future. I am honoured that I’ve been asked to join WNO as Executive Producer and look forward to continuing my work with the team to make that ambition a reality.”
WNO Co-General Directors and CEOs, Adele Thomas and Sarah Crabtree, said: “We are delighted to welcome Catherine and Jo into these two vital leadership roles. They bring an exceptional breadth of experience, fresh thinking, and a shared belief in the transformative power of the arts.
“Building the opera company of the future means ensuring that artistic ambition is supported by an organisation that is collaborative, resilient and equipped to respond to a rapidly changing cultural landscape. Catherine’s international outlook and extensive organisational leadership experience, alongside Jo’s creative producing expertise, will be invaluable as we continue to transform how WNO works and how we make and share our art.
“Catherine and Jo will be integral to delivering our vision for a bold, contemporary national opera company – rooted proudly in Wales, ambitious in its outlook and creating world-class work that speaks to audiences today and into the future.”
ENDS.
Neil Collins
Strategic Communications Lead | Arweinydd Cyfathrebiadau Strategol
Welsh National Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru
neil.collins@wno.org.uk 02920 635 087 / 079 7154 1068