Kyle Johnston and Jodie Bennett join Arts Centre Melbourne executive team

Arts Centre Melbourne Chief Executive Judith Isherwood has announced that Melbourne leisure business consultant Kyle Johnston has been appointed Executive, Customer Enterprises - joining the Arts Centre Melbourne team on Monday 8th October.

Johnston's appointment follows the recent promotion of Chief Information Officer Jodie Bennett to the role of Executive, Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer.

Explaining the appointments, Isherwood stated "I am delighted to have Kyle and Jodie as part of my team.

"Arts Centre Melbourne is determined to reclaim our pre-eminent position within Victoria and Australia, while establishing Arts Centre Melbourne as one of the world's great performing arts centres.

"To do that, we are creating an environment that encourages and rewards creativity, innovation, entrepreneurial initiatives, professionalism and results. Both Kyle and Jodie have exactly the set of skills that we need at this time."

Kyle Johnston (pictured) has more than 20 years experience and success across a broad range of sectors including leisure, retail, tourism, gaming, sport and F&B operation throughout the Asia Pacific.

Currently engaged as a Senior Consultant at Coffey Sport and Leisure, Kyle's projects included Larundel Estate Business Strategy Resort Development; Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village Master Plan, Business Case, Interpretation and Investment Strategy; Point Nepean National Park Review/ EOI Structure Plan; and Puffing Billy Railway Infrastructure Planning.

As General Manager at ING, he launched Australia's first Costco, as well as the Icehouse (National Ice Sports Centre) and Harbour Town Melbourne.

As Executive General Manager Marketing at Crown, Johnston developed the Crown Brand strategy and direction across Asia Pacific including the expansion into Macau; increased visitation from 12 to 16 million visits; and developed new products including Crown Promenade Hotel concept, Pub concept, and Palms theatre concept.

Johnston is currently the inaugural Chairperson of Destination Docklands, and he has been a Board member of Destination Melbourne since 2001.

Jodie Bennett is a former Ernst & Young partner with over 18 years' experience in financial and operations management across the technology, communications and entertainment industry sectors. Most recently, Jodie has served as the Chief Information Officer at Arts Centre Melbourne, overseeing the changes to the IT Department and the roll-out of its IT Strategy.

During the last decade in both Melbourne and San Francisco, Jodie has helped organisations from small start-ups to global corporations set business strategy and deliver large-scale transformation programs across finance, operations and technology. These have included NAB, ANZ, Amazon, Levi Strauss, Cisco and Yahoo!

Bennett holds a Bachelor's degree in Commerce and is a member Chartered Accountant.

For more information go to www.theartscentre.com.au

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