Alex Beard CBE

Alex has been Chief Executive of the Royal Ballet and Opera (RBO), formerly the Royal Opera House, since 2013. He is also Chairman of High House Production Park Ltd, an international centre of excellence for the creative industries located at Thurrock in the Thames Gateway. 

He led the major physical transformation of the Royal Opera House, our Grade I listed home in Covent Garden, including creating the new Linbury Theatre – a world-class theatre for chamber opera and ballet – and opening the building to a daytime public with an extensive programme of events, festivals and award-winning public facilities.  

Meanwhile the educational role and impact of the Royal Ballet and Opera 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 has been strengthened. 

Alex led the organisation through the pandemic, the largest financial challenge in its history, guiding a far-reaching restructuring programme and major Recovery fundraising campaign. Full and multi-award-winning performing Seasons for both The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera have been presented since the relaunch in September 2021, and both performing companies are regarded to be at an historic artistic high. Under his tenure fundraising has grown to compensate for significant real-terms cuts in public funding. 

Prior to the Royal Ballet and Opera, Alex joined Tate in 1994 and spent 18 years in a number of roles, including as its Deputy Director from 2002. During his 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. 

The office of the Chief Executive is generously supported by Bob and Tamar Manoukian.