Alex Beard has been announced as the new Chief Executive of the Royal Opera House, following Tony Hall’s departure from the venue to take up the role of Director General of the BBC.
Beard will take up his post at the illustrious venue, which is home to two of the world’s most respected artistic companies, The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet, in readiness for the 2013/14 season with Finance Director Sally O’Neill in the role of acting Chief Executive until he begins the task.
The 49-year-old former Arts Council employee joins the Royal Opera House from another leading arts organisation, the Tate, where he has worked since 1994 and has been Deputy Director since 2002. His impressive CV also includes his role on the board of Glyndebourne Productions Ltd and a CBE for services to the arts.
Simon Robey, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, said: “Alex Beard has a passion for the work we do at the Royal Opera House. He also brings a wealth of managerial experience from his very successful partnership with Nick Serota at Tate, as well as the insights and perspectives that this role has given him. I am confident he will forge excellent partnerships with our artistic leadership and our executive team, and that they will, together, lead the Opera House to still greater heights.”
Beard will join Music Director Antonio Pappano, Director of Opera Kasper Holten and Director of The Royal Ballet Kevin O’Hare at the helm of the Covent Garden institution. Commenting on his appointment, the life-long music enthusiast said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have been appointed Chief Executive of the Royal Opera House. To have the opportunity to build on Tony Hall’s achievements and strengthen the Royal Opera House’s reputation as one of the world’s leading artistic and creative forces is hugely exciting.”
One of the most respected opera and dance venues in the world, the Royal Opera House last year attracted almost 700,000 attendances for 428 performances, as well as reaching people across the world through its regular cinema, online, television and radio streamings.