Opera Australia appoints new Chair

Rod Sims AO has joined and become Chair of the Opera Australia Board, taking over from Professor Glyn Davis AC, since the end of September 2022.

Glyn has announced he will step down having been handpicked by the Albanese Government to become the Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

On behalf of Opera Australia, CEO Fiona Allan expressed her deepest gratitude for Glyn’s hard work and commitment to OA. In Glyn’s time as OA Chair since November 2021, he led the Company’s transition through the ongoing challenges of the pandemic and an internal review of the Company’s culture. He departs after preparing OA for an exciting and prosperous future, having begun the development of a new Company strategy, mission and purpose, commenced the recruitment of the new Artistic Director, and overseen the Company’s successful return to the stage post the interruptions of Covid.

“It has been a privilege to serve Opera Australia and work with the Board members, Chief Executive Fiona Allan, and the rest of the Company to ensure we continually presented opera at the exceptional standard for which OA is globally renowned. I’m proud of what we achieved,” Professor Davis said.

Rod, who has a deep background in public policy and business, is a lover of opera and has been a passionate supporter of the Company for many years.

“I have enjoyed performances over many years as an audience member, so I’m truly delighted to become part of the Company and look forward to working with the Board, Fiona and all members of OA to deliver the art form to audiences nationwide in a way that cements opera’s place in a contemporary, post-pandemic world,” Rod said.

Rod stepped down in March after 11 years as the Chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. He is currently a Professor of public policy and antitrust at the Australian National University and Chair of the Competition Research Policy Network based in Paris.

Rod was previously also Deputy Secretary in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, responsible for all domestic policy issues, and Deputy Secretary in the Department of Transport and Communications. From 1988 to 1990 he was the Principal Economic Adviser to Australia’s Prime Minister, Bob Hawke. He has a love of opera, and has been a subscriber, and then a patron, of Opera Australia for over 30 years.

For more information visit Opera Australia’s website.

Media release supplied.