Appointed a Director for a five year term from 27 March 2009



From 2002 until 2009 Michael Lynch was Chief Executive of London’s Southbank Centre which incorporates Royal Festival Hall, the Hayward Gallery, Queen Elizabeth Hall, the Purcell Room and Jubilee Gardens. During his time in London he was responsible for the major renovation of Royal Festival Hall and the transformation of the Southbank cultural precinct.

Previously, Michael had a long career in arts administration in Australia. He was Chief Executive of the Sydney Opera House from 1998 to 2002, and General Manager of the Australia Council from 1994 to 1998. Prior to that he was General Manager of the Sydney Theatre Company.

In his earlier working life he was a casting director with his own agency Forcast, and an agent for the performing arts and film and television. He began his career at the Australia Council for the Arts in 1973 and was a former manager of the Nimrod Theatre and Administrator of the Australian National Playwrights Conference.

In 2001 he was awarded the Order of Australia (AM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to arts administration. In 2008 he was named a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for services to the arts in the UK. Michael returned to Australia in 2009.

Board members can be contacted by ringing (02) 8333-5312 and c/o ABC Secretariat, 14th floor, 700 Harris St, Ultimo, NSW 2007