About WOMAD
WOMAD IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST DISTINCTIVE CULTURAL FESTIVALS, BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER THROUGH MUSIC, CULTURE, CREATIVITY AND DISCOVERY.
For more than four decades, WOMAD has created opportunities for audiences to experience music, ideas, food and cultures from around the world in one place. Founded on a belief in the power of cultural exchange and human connection, the festival continues to celebrate creativity, curiosity and global perspectives in a way that feels more relevant than ever.
The Organisation
The idea behind WOMAD was simple: to create a space where people could come together to experience different cultures through music, creativity and shared experiences. More than 40 years later, that founding purpose remains at the heart of everything the festival does.
At its heart, WOMAD is a festival of discovery. Across music, arts, spoken word, food, wellbeing and family programming, audiences are invited to explore new perspectives and encounter artists, ideas and experiences they may never otherwise discover.
Over its history, WOMAD has welcomed artists from around 150 countries, sold more than half a million tickets and built an international reputation that extends far beyond the UK festival sector. Its longevity, global reach and cultural influence remain among its greatest strengths.
40+
years of cultural impact
150
countries represented
500,000+
tickets sold
200+
artists annually
330+
performances
The Current Moment
This appointment comes at an exciting moment in WOMAD’s evolution.
Following the move to Neston Park and a successful recent festival, the organisation is building on strong foundations whilst looking ahead with renewed ambition. The new site presents an opportunity to refresh, evolve and enhance the festival experience whilst remaining true to the values and spirit that have defined WOMAD for more than four decades.
Like many organisations across the sector, WOMAD continues to navigate an evolving landscape shaped by changing audience behaviours, rising costs and increasing competition for people’s time and attention. For the right leader, however, these challenges represent an opportunity to help shape the future of one of the world’s most respected cultural festivals.
The successful candidate will join WOMAD at a genuine moment of renewal, helping guide the next chapter of its story whilst ensuring it remains culturally relevant, financially sustainable and creatively ambitious for generations to come.
Relationship with Real World
WOMAD is part of the wider Real World family and benefits from the support, expertise and infrastructure of an organisation that shares its commitment to creativity, culture and innovation.
The Festival Director will work closely with Peter Gabriel, Mike Large and colleagues across the wider group, drawing on a broad network of experience whilst leading the future direction of the festival. The role offers a unique opportunity to combine the independence and identity of a globally recognised cultural brand with the support and collaborative opportunities that come from being part of a wider creative organisation.
Together, WOMAD and Real World share a belief in the power of culture, creativity and connection. The relationship is built on partnership, shared ambition and a commitment to ensuring that WOMAD continues to thrive for future generations.
You can view the Real World Organisational Structure here.
