Colette Bailey

Colette is CEO at WOW - Women of the World and a creative producer, with an established history and over 25 years experience of leading SME organisations and teams in the UK. Previously she was Artistic Director and CEO of Metal (2002-2021) and Managing Director at the Royal Society of British Sculptors (1998-2002). Her work has always been purpose-driven, creating arts programmes that are underpinned by social change, community participation and nurturing talent within people of all ages. 

She is a passionate advocate for the transformational power of the arts to create change – for both people and places – and equally passionate that access to culture should be available to everyone. All her work to date has been to find ways to advocate for, develop and deliver this.

The WOW Marketplace, packed full of artists, makers, activists and women-led businesses has always been a favourite of hers at WOW Festivals – so many new ideas and creativity with purpose. Her recent trip to WOW Rio in 2025 is also up there as a recent favourite – reminding her that place, context and local curation are so key to how WOW Festivals are shaped.