Breaking news: Opera Australia Announces New CEO – Rory Jeffes

Opera Australia’s Chairman, David Mortimer AO today announced the appointment of Mr Rory Jeffes as its new Chief Executive Officer. Mr Jeffes will take up the CEO position at Opera Australia on 31 July 2017.

Rory Jeffes is no stranger to Sydney. The Ontario born executive has been with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra since 2005 in various roles, including Director of External Relations and most recently as Managing Director, 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.

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.

On behalf of the Board, Mr Mortimer AO welcomed Mr Jeffes to Opera Australia. “We’re thrilled to welcome Rory to Opera Australia. 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,” said Mr Mortimer. 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.

Opera Australia says Mr Jeffes was appointed after a comprehensive, worldwide search following the departure of Craig Hassall AM in February 2017.