Heather Rabbatts
Dame Heather Rabbatts DBE is a barrister and senior board leader who advises organisations on governance, leadership, inclusion, and responsible oversight across public, media, sport, and creative sectors.
- Barrister and former Chief Executive of the London Borough of Lambeth.
- Served as a Governor of the BBC and held a senior executive role at Channel 4.
- First woman appointed to The Football Association board in its history and held senior executive roles at Millwall.
- Managing Director of Cove Pictures and former Chair of Shed Media, overseeing its sale to Time Warner/Warner Bros.
- Chair of TIME’S UP UK and Chair of Soho Theatre.
- Senior Independent Director at Associated British Foods plc, Chair of M&C Saatchi plc, and Non-Executive Director of Bloomsbury Publishing plc.
Full Profile
Key speaking topics
- Corporate governance and board leadership
- Public sector leadership and reform
- Diversity, equity and inclusion in senior leadership
- Governance in sport and football administration
- Media and creative industries oversight
- Ethical leadership and organisational accountability
- Investment and ownership structures in sport and media
Ideal for
- Board directors and non-executive directors
- Senior leadership teams
- Governance and risk committees
- Media, sport, and creative industry organisations
Audience outcomes
- Clear understanding of board-level responsibilities and oversight
- Insight into governance challenges across public and commercial sectors
- Practical perspectives on diversity and inclusion in leadership
- Greater clarity on accountability and ethical decision-making at senior levels
Why organisations work with Dame Heather Rabbatts
- Brings cross-sector board experience spanning public service, media, sport, and listed companies
- Offers practical insight into governance, accountability, and organisational oversight
- Combines legal training with executive and non-executive leadership experience
- Provides informed perspective on inclusion and leadership at board level
Biography
Dame Heather Rabbatts DBE brings extensive board-level experience across public service, listed companies, media, sport, and the creative industries. Her career spans executive leadership, non-executive oversight, and complex governance environments, giving her a practical understanding of accountability, organisational culture, and strategic decision-making at the highest levels.
She began her senior leadership career in local government, serving as Chief Executive of the London Borough of Lambeth and becoming widely recognised as the youngest council chief in the UK at the time of her appointment. This early role established her reputation for leading large, high-profile public institutions under scrutiny.
In broadcasting, she served as a Governor of the BBC and later held a senior executive role at Channel 4, including responsibility for education-related leadership. These positions placed her at the centre of public service broadcasting governance and regulatory accountability.
Her work in sport includes senior executive roles at Millwall and a historic appointment to The Football Association board as the first woman to serve in its history. Her experience in football governance reflects deep insight into board oversight, investment structures, and leadership in complex, high-visibility organisations.
Within the creative industries, she is Managing Director of Cove Pictures and previously chaired Shed Media, overseeing its sale to Time Warner/Warner Bros. She also chairs Soho Theatre and TIME’S UP UK, contributing to governance and standards across film, television, and the arts.
In the corporate sector, she serves as Senior Independent Director at Associated British Foods plc, Chair of M&C Saatchi plc, and Non-Executive Director of Bloomsbury Publishing plc. Across these roles, Dame Heather Rabbatts provides informed, cross-sector perspective on governance, inclusion, and responsible leadership at board level.