After a successful career as an actress, Thelma Holt CBE, in partnership with Charles Marowitz, founded the Open Space Theatre in Tottenham Court Road, which became the forerunner of the London fringe.

In 1977, she joined the Round House in Chalk Farm as Artistic and Executive Director. There she instigated a policy of bringing the best of regional theatre to London, introducing, amongst others, the work of Citizens Theatre, Glasgow; Royal Exchange Theatre Company, Manchester; Stephen Joseph Theatre Company, Scarborough.

She gave London the opportunity to see some of the successful productions initiated at the Edinburgh Festival. In 1983 the Round House closed and Thelma Holt joined the Theatre of Comedy as Executive Producer where she produced LOOT by Joe Orton directed by Jonathan Lynn and starring Leonard Rossiter. In 1985 Thelma Holt joined the National Theatre as Head of Touring and Commercial Exploitation.

Thelma produced INTERNATIONAL 87, a series of four visits to the National Theatre by international theatre companies. For this international season Thelma Holt received the Olivier/Observer Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Theatre and a special award from Drama Magazine.

The recipient of numerous honours and awards, Thelma was presented with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette by the Japanese government in 2004.