Karen Napier MBE, is CEO at The Reading Agency. An experienced leader in the arts, cultural and education sectors, Karen has been responsible for leading and delivering major national funding projects including the £111m campaign to transform the Royal Festival Hall at London’s Southbank Centre. She works closely with The Reading Agency Board and team to develop and deliver its vision and mission of tackling life’s big challenges through the proven power of reading. 

Previous appointments include: Chief Executive at Wac Arts, Executive Director of the Swarovski Foundation, Chief Executive of the English National Ballet, Director of Development at the Southbank Centre and the first Associate Dean of Advancement at London Business School. Amongst non-exec roles, Karen Chaired Greenbelt Festival for many years, was a founding Trustee of Hofesh Shechter Company and was on LIFT and Go Live Theatre Projects (formerly Mousetrap Theatre Projects) Boards. She is currently a Trustee of Kiln Theatre and has an MA in Philanthropic Studies from Canterbury, Kent University.

Website: https://readingagency.org.uk/