Elaine Padmore is best known as the Director of the Royal Opera, Covent Garden, a post she held with great distinction between 2000 and 2011. She began her career as a BBC producer and was Director of Opera there for many years.

She was the Director of the Wexford Opera Festival and the Royal Danish Opera, Copenhagen. Today, she supports the work of young singers through her association with British Youth Opera and many charitable trusts.