Debbie Coates is Chief Executive of The Mozartists, formerly Classical Opera, an award-winning period-instrument orchestra and opera company specialising in Mozart and his contemporaries. Since joining in January 2004, initially as Marketing Director, she has played a central role in the company’s development, overseeing strategy, fundraising, communications and financial sustainability.

Her work combines building long-term relationships with donors and charitable trusts, developing audiences and partnerships, and leading a small administrative team alongside an extensive freelance workforce. Working with colleagues and education partners, she led the development and implementation of the company’s education and outreach programme, which delivers sustained engagement with schools and young people.

Previously, Debbie was Head of Sales, Asia at Dorling Kindersley – where she sat on Pearson’s China Development Board and set up the company’s China office – and Marketing Director of the Red Mansion Foundation, promoting cultural exchange between the UK and China. She brings a practical perspective on balancing artistic ambition with financial resilience and sustaining a small arts organisation over the long term.

Outside her work with The Mozartists, Debbie is a practising ceramicist. She speaks French, Spanish, Italian and Mandarin.