Full Name
Alex Beard CBE
Job Title
Chief Executive
Company
Royal Opera House
Speaker Bio
Alex Beard has been CEO of the Royal Opera House (ROH) since 2013.
He has led a major physical transformation of ROH’s Grade 1 listed home including creating a new world class theatre for chamber opera and ballet, opening the theatre to a daytime public with an extensive programme of events, festivals and award-winning public facilities. Meanwhile its educational role and impact has grown through a new suite of nationwide learning programmes, its digital presence and reach has been extended through streaming and live cinema relays, and its reputation as one of the world's leading lyric theatre organisations strengthened.
Alex led ROH through the pandemic, the largest financial challenge in its history, guiding a far-reaching restructuring programme and major Recovery fundraising campaign. A full and multi-award winning performing Season for both The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera relaunched in September 2021. Both performing companies are regarded to be at an historic artistic high. Under his tenure fundraising has grown to compensate for a real-terms £10m (30%) cut in public funding, and a balanced financial position has consistently been achieved.
Alex is Chair of High House Production Park Ltd, an international centre of excellence for the creative industries located at Thurrock in the Thames Gateway, and Deputy Chair of the World Forum for the Performing Arts. He is a regular on the Speakers for Schools programme, and a committed mentor of emerging talent in the performing arts sector.
Prior to ROH, Alex joined Tate in 1994 and spent 18 years in a number of roles, including as its Deputy Director from 2002. During Alex’s time there he worked closely with Sir Nicholas Serota in the creation of Tate Modern, while also leading the business operations of the four Tate galleries and overseeing a major capital and digital development programme.
At the end of 2012 Alex was appointed a CBE for his services to the arts, and was made a Fellow of Kings College London in 2016.
He has led a major physical transformation of ROH’s Grade 1 listed home including creating a new world class theatre for chamber opera and ballet, opening the theatre to a daytime public with an extensive programme of events, festivals and award-winning public facilities. Meanwhile its educational role and impact has grown through a new suite of nationwide learning programmes, its digital presence and reach has been extended through streaming and live cinema relays, and its reputation as one of the world's leading lyric theatre organisations strengthened.
Alex led ROH through the pandemic, the largest financial challenge in its history, guiding a far-reaching restructuring programme and major Recovery fundraising campaign. A full and multi-award winning performing Season for both The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera relaunched in September 2021. Both performing companies are regarded to be at an historic artistic high. Under his tenure fundraising has grown to compensate for a real-terms £10m (30%) cut in public funding, and a balanced financial position has consistently been achieved.
Alex is Chair of High House Production Park Ltd, an international centre of excellence for the creative industries located at Thurrock in the Thames Gateway, and Deputy Chair of the World Forum for the Performing Arts. He is a regular on the Speakers for Schools programme, and a committed mentor of emerging talent in the performing arts sector.
Prior to ROH, Alex joined Tate in 1994 and spent 18 years in a number of roles, including as its Deputy Director from 2002. During Alex’s time there he worked closely with Sir Nicholas Serota in the creation of Tate Modern, while also leading the business operations of the four Tate galleries and overseeing a major capital and digital development programme.
At the end of 2012 Alex was appointed a CBE for his services to the arts, and was made a Fellow of Kings College London in 2016.
Speaking At
