Qantas boss Alan Joyce named chairman of Sydney Theatre Company

After being appointed to the board last year, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce will take the reins of the nation’s biggest state theatre company from Seek boss Ian Narev.

The airline chief has been upgraded to the chairman’s lounge of Sydney Theatre Company after joining the board last year. Picture: Getty

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce has been appointed chairman of Sydney Theatre Company, taking the reins of the nation’s biggest state theatre company from Seek boss Ian Narev.

Mr Joyce joined the board late last year, and was described by STC as having a “great passion for the theatre”.

An email sent on Wednesday evening to STC supporters from executive director Anne Dunn and artistic director Kip Williams announced the changes to the company’s governing board.

In a statement, Mr Joyce said he was honoured to be named chairman of the STC.

“It’s one of Australia’s premier performing arts organisations and I’m excited to continue on the work of Ian and the board supporting STC’s leadership team through the recovery and beyond,” he said.

Allan Joyce and his husband Shane Lloyd. Picture by Damian Shaw

The company email said Mr Joyce and his husband Shane Lloyd, a member of the STC Foundation, have long been supporters of the theatre company.

“A visionary leader with exceptional business acumen and a great passion for the theatre, Alan is an ideal Chair for STC,” Ms Dunn and Mr Williams said.

“We are excited to embrace the company’s next chapter under his dynamic leadership, as we continue working to stabilise our future after the impact of the pandemic in recent years.”

Mr Joyce will chair a board that includes Gretel Packer, actor Heather Mitchell, and new members Brooke Boney, Mark Coulter and David Paradice.

Ms Dunn and Mr Williams thanked Mr Narev for his seven-year term as chairman, having guided the company through the pandemic and renovations to the company’s Wharf Theatre at Walsh Bay.

“Ian has been an extraordinary chair, expertly governing the company through some of the most significant years of its history, including leading us through the phenomenal renovation of our home at Walsh Bay via the Wharf Renewal Project.”