An early love of theatre influenced Genista (Jenny) McIntosh's decision to joint the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1972 as their听Casting Director.听Her interest lay not in directing or performing, but in theatre management and in 1977 she moved on to Marmot Management where听she looked after writers, directors and听designers.听 In the mid-80s she听returned to the RSC, where she remained until 1990 when听she took up the job of听Executive Director of the Royal National Theatre.
She hit the headlines in May 1997 when she resigned as the Chief Executive at the Royal Opera House after only 5 months, because of ill-health. Later that year she returned to听her听first love, the stage, as Executive Director听of the National Theatre a position she held until 2003 when she听become Principal of Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
In 1999 she was created a Life Peer, taking the title Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall.
