Opera Australia has announced the appointment of Mr Rory Jeffes as its new Chief Executive Officer.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Rory to Opera Australia,” said Opera Australia’s Chairman, David Mortimer AO. “He was an outstanding candidate in a very high quality field and brings a diverse set of skills and a wealth of experience that will be highly valued at the Company.”
“Rory’s passion for music and his strong background in the not-for-profit sector, along with his exceptional analytical and administrative capabilities are exactly what the company needs to take us forward in these exciting and challenging times.”
Mr Jeffes said he’s looking forward to the challenge of working with Australia’s largest arts company, which is also ranked as the third busiest opera company in the world. “It is highly impressive how Opera Australia, under the artistic direction of Lyndon Terracini, has developed as an innovative performing arts company of international renown,” said Mr Jeffes. “I greatly look forward to working closely with Lyndon and the many highly talented people at OA to build on these achievements into the future.”
Mr Jeffes was appointed after a comprehensive, worldwide search following the departure of Craig Hassall AM in February 2017. Many in the industry will be familiar with Mr Jeffes from his tenure with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra where he has been since 2005 in various roles, including Director of External Relations and most recently as Managing Director, a post he has held since 2009.
Before joining the Sydney Symphony, Mr Jeffes was CEO of the CREATE Foundation, the leading advocacy group for the out of home care sector in Australia and was the Founding CEO of the world’s first “virtual” charity, YouthNet, an innovative web based information resource for young people in the UK.
Born in Ontario, Canada, Mr Jeffes has enjoyed an extensive career in the profit and not-for-profit sectors in England and Australia. He holds a Master of Arts degree from Oxford University where he read Music and was awarded an Academical Clerkship (Choral Scholarship).
Mr Jeffes has also held senior management roles in the Development area at leading not-for-profit organisations including Outward Bound Trust UK & Australia – the world leader in providing experiential education for young people, as well as the Prince’s Youth Business Trust – a charity presided over by HRH The Prince of Wales providing loans and business advice to young entrepreneurs.
Mr Jeffes will take up the CEO position at Opera Australia on 31 July 2017. For more information, visit: www.opera.org.au for details.
Image: Rory Jeffes – photo by Keith Saunders