Julie Finch is CEO of Hay Festival, the world’s leading literary charity bringing writers and readers together in events to inspire, examine and entertain globally.
Based in the Festival’s head office in Hay-on-Wye, Wales, Finch joined the charity in August 2022 to lead a new organisational strategy, working to enhance the organisation’s national and international standing, reach, impact, engagement with existing and new audiences, and its long-term sustainability.
As a cultural leader, Finch is a passionate advocate for the arts in Wales and around the world with experience spanning the charity, private and public sectors.
With over two decades of experience in the cultural sector, Finch’s achievements have included developing and leading the revisioning programme and 10-year strategy for Compton Verney Art Gallery and Park, setting up a cultural trust in Cheltenham, developing the concept for the new museum for Western Australia and reframing Bristol Museums Galleries and Archives around audiences. Whether conceptualising new museums (M Shed, Boola Bardip) or leading ambitious cultural change programmes (Cheltenham Trust, National Football Museum), Finch has been a champion of strengthening and modernising venues, engaging with audiences and partners and contemporising interpretation and visitor experiences.
A member of Arts Council England Midland’s regional council, A former member of National Council, Arts Council England, Committee Member of the National Lottery Heritage Fund in the Southwest, Finch is a qualified executive coach and mentor, an experience board member and is committed to enabling the sector to grow to meet the needs of 21st century audiences.