ASO appoints new chair and board member

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra today announced that its Chair, Mr Colin Dunsford AM, will step down from the Board at the end of December 2018. He will be succeeded as Chair by Ms Kate Gould.

Mr Dunsford has been a member of ASO’s Board since 2011, and has served as Chairman since the beginning of December 2011. His experience in the arts is well-known and admired, having previously served as a board member and Chairman of the State Opera of South Australia, as well as Deputy Chairman of the Adelaide Festival of Arts.

Mr Dunsford said, “I have greatly enjoyed my time on the Board of the ASO and especially as Chairman. It has been a privilege to work with an exceptional Board and management team during my tenure.”

“Artistically, the orchestra continues to go from strength to strength. The ASO is renowned for its standards of musicianship and agility to respond to challenges. It attracts conductors and artists of the highest calibre and the ASO’s community engagement mission, through its education and outreach programs, is more successful than ever. At the same time, the economic climate for orchestras worldwide remains challenging and the ASO is not immune from those pressures,” he said.

“I’m delighted to hand the reigns of this wonderful institution to the very capable hands of Kate Gould,” he said.

“Kate is highly respected in the arts and she will bring a fresh perspective to the organisation. With a wealth of arts knowledge and significant business acumen she is well-placed to lead the organisation into the next stage.”

Of her appointment Ms Gould said, “The ASO is one of this country’s artistic jewels. It’s a privilege to be appointed Chair of an organisation that’s already performing to such a high standard.” Kate Gould is an arts and management consultant and digital entrepreneur. Former CEO and Associate Artistic Director of the Adelaide Festival, Kate consults to arts agencies, festivals, events, venues, and government and university sectors. Her key clients include Hobart’s MONA and Dark Mofo, and Monash University

As Executive Director of Dark Mofo, Ms Gould has contributed to the success of this new festival. Only six years old, Dark Mofo now returns over $50 million in economic benefit to Tasmania each winter employing over 1000 people each year.

Ms Gould founded three online platforms successfully selling them in 2016 and 2017. She holds directorships on a number of boards including the TarraWarra Museum of Art (Vic) and the Rundle Mall Management Authority (SA) and was also a director of the Adelaide Football Club (AFL).

Mr Dunsford announced another exciting addition to the board –Andrew Daniels, Adelaide Oval SMA Chief Executive Officer.

Andrew Daniels has experience in the sporting, tourism and events industries, and in the many years he has spent leading high–profile South Australian organisations made him a standout candidate for the ASO board. In his most recent achievement, Mr Daniels oversaw the redevelopment of Adelaide Oval and its transformation to become the world-class destination for sporting and entertainment events in Australia.

Prior to his position at Adelaide Oval, he was CEO of the Motor Accident Commission, and prior to that chief executive of the South Australian Motor Sport Board, which ran the Clipsal 500. 

He has also been general manager of Australian Major Events, commercial manager at the South Australian Tourism Commission and deputy chief executive on the Australian Formula One Grand Prix Board.

Mr Dunsford said that he was also delighted to announce that Managing Director, Vincent Ciccarello, had accepted to renew his contract with the ASO for a further five years.

 “Vincent joined the ASO at an important juncture in the orchestra’s history,” Mr Dunsford said.

“He has demonstrated his skills for building strong relationships with stakeholders and for his integrity. I know the orchestra will continue to strengthen its position under Vince’s leadership”.

ASO Managing Director Vincent Ciccarello said he was delighted to welcome Kate Gould and Andrew Daniels and looks forward to their contributions to the strategic direction and governance of the ASO.

“Both Kate and Andrew bring to the ASO substantial business acumen and outstanding professional experience in the arts and entertainment sector,” Mr Ciccarello said.

“Importantly, they are also both deeply committed to supporting the arts in Australia. They understand the business environment we operate in, they share our passion for the artistic output of the ASO, and they are committed to our vision and future.

“We look forward to working with them both and ensuring the ASO’s program continues to explore music of many genres and, along the way, redefines what it means to be a “symphony orchestra” in the 21^st century.” he said.

Ms Gould’s appointment as Chair of ASO will be effective by the end of 2018.

The ASO Board is now Kate Gould (Chair Designate), Vincent Ciccarello (Managing Director), Geoffrey Collins (Principal Flute), Elizabeth Davis, Byron Gregory, David Leon, Karen Limb, Andrew Robertson and Andrew Daniels.

About the ASO 
ASO has a reputation for vitality and versatility, the internationally acclaimed orchestra is South Australia’s largest performing arts organisation, established in 1936. For over 80 years, the ASO has been there to corroborate life and contribute to South Australia’s identity. Today the ASO plays a major role in Adelaide’s cultural and economic vibrancy, and enriches the community through more than 70 world-class performances to more than 90,000 diverse concertgoers each season. Delivering diverse and colourful programming with leading international and Australian musicians, it has also enjoyed hugely successful performances with artists such as The Angels, Ben Folds, Tim Minchin and The Hilltop Hoods. The ASO has embarked on numerous international tours including Korea, Singapore and Carnegie Hall in New York. They are currently touring the Bush Concert in China.

INTERVIEWS and MEDIA ENQUIRIES:  

Cheree McEwin, Publicist, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra

08 8233 6205 / 0416 181 679 / mcewinc@aso.com.au