Opera Australia advises of departure of Chief Executive Fiona Allan

Opera Australia Chair Rod Sims has today announced that Chief Executive Fiona Allan has decided to depart the organisation.

Thanking Allan for her leadership over the past three years, during a particularly challenging period for the sector and arts organisations around the world, Sims advised “Fiona’s tireless work has enabled the company to regain its momentum post-COVID and put in place a clear strategic direction for a sustainable future.

“Fiona has positioned OA well to continue its evolution in the complex environment in which all arts organisations are operating,”

“The Board of Directors, the Executive Team, and our company of artists, creatives and arts workers express their gratitude to Fiona for her strong strategic leadership and exceptional efforts bringing OA back into production post-COVID, and for laying a solid foundation for OA to achieve its purpose to be an opera company for a 21st-century Australia.”

Allan went on to advise “it has been a privilege and an honour to lead Australia’s national opera company.”

Behind the official statement, the Sydney Morning Herald has described Allan’s departure from the nation’s biggest arts company as having plunged Opera Australia “into yet another crisis”.

It advised that Allan’s “departure comes less than six months after the abrupt exit of Artistic Director Jo Davies, the first female artistic director in the history of the company. Davies lasted just 18 months and left after repeated clashes with Allan.”

In 2024, the company posted a $7.8 million operating deficit, which it blamed in part on cost-of-living pressures. That followed a loss of $4.9 million the previous year.

Late last year, corporate adviser Gabrielle Trainor was appointed to conduct a comprehensive review into the organisation’s governance.

Trainor is expected to complete her report in March. However, the company has not yet committed to releasing its findings publicly.

Opera Australia’s Chief Operating Officer, Simon Militano has been appointed acting Chief Executive until a permanent appointment can be made.

Image: Fiona Allan. Credit: Opera Australia/Pamela Raith.