This week, we welcome Louise Herron AM, CEO of the Sydney Opera House, who talks about the multiple cultural leadership considerations of running the most iconic building in Australia. We were privileged to speak with Louise following the celebrations of the SOH’s 50th anniversary (she also oversaw its 40th). 

Louise talks about politics, stakeholder management, and the new strategic vision just launched for the opera house. She discusses her journey in arts leadership following a successful career as a lawyer, working in investment banking and as a corporate adviser. Taking us through her eye-wateringly busy schedule, Louise says how she could hardly sleep for the first year running the opera house - such was her excitement at its possibilities.

Links:

The Sydney Opera House

https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/

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samuelcairnduff.com

@samuelcairnduff

Read Sam's Substack here.

Presenter and research: Sam Cairnduff

Creative Director: Niloofar Pashmforoosh

Presented in association with Limelight

Decoding Cultural Leadership |
Culture. Society. Conversations

Celebrated Australian conductor Benjamin Northey talks to Sam just after the 20th anniversary of his association with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Ben talks about the intersection between orchestras and social change. He also shares some of the initiatives and approaches to cultural leadership in another orchestra close to his heart, the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, where he is Chief Conductor. 

Ben talks about the role of orchestras and orchestral music in our society, developing and training for aspiring Australian conductors and how arts and culture has become more influential in national discussions. Ben reminds us to celebrate Australian talent and that - ultimately - music is about joy. 

Links:

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: https://www.mso.com.au/

Christchurch Symphony Orchestra: https://cso.co.nz/

Connect with Decoding Cultural Leadership on social media

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samuelcairnduff.com

@samuelcairnduff

Read Sam's Substack here.

Presenter and research: Sam Cairnduff

Creative Director: Niloofar Pashmforoosh

Presented in association with Limelight

Decoding Cultural Leadership |
Culture. Society. Conversations

In this episode of Decoding Cultural Leadership, we meet Opera Australia CEO Fiona Allan, who talks about cultural change and transformation at one of Australia’s flagship performing arts companies. Fiona reflects on her 18-year career in the UK, where she led one of the most important cultural centres, the Birmingham Hippodrome.  

Fiona gives her perspective on the changing role of the arts in Australia. She discusses where cultural leaders could contribute outside the cultural sphere to areas like economic and tourism development. 

Fiona talks about her journey into arts leadership, how childhood glimpses of the sails of the Sydney Opera House inspired her arts leadership ambitions, her early days as a clarinettist, and how bringing a producer’s mindset to her leadership practice has been a core component in her career.

Links:

https://opera.org.au/

Birmingham Hippodrome 

https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/

Connect with Decoding Cultural Leadership on social media

Instagram, Threads, X/Twitter:

@DCLPod

[email protected]

samuelcairnduff.com

@samuelcairnduff

Read Sam's Substack here.

Presenter and research: Sam Cairnduff

Creative Director: Niloofar Pashmforoosh

Presented in association with Limelight

Decoding Cultural Leadership |
Culture. Society. Conversations

This week’s guest is renowned arts leader Michael Lynch, AO CBE. Michael talks about his long and celebrated career, running some of the most iconic cultural institutions in Australia and overseas. Michael’s achievements and contributions to our cultural life are almost too extensive to list here. 

In Australia, as well as a fundamental role in the establishment of the Australia Council, Michael led the Sydney Theatre Company and was CEO of the Sydney Opera House before taking up the role of Chief Executive of London’s Southbank Centre and later CEO of Hong Kong’s  West Kowloon Cultural District, where he oversaw a multi-billion dollar development. He sat on the board of the ABC, and when we spoke, he was just departing his role as chair of Circa to take on yet another international opportunity. 

Michael is known for his robust views on the importance of culture in Australian society and the role the arts play in social change. He talks to us about all this, as well as his next leadership adventure.

Links:

Southbank Centre

https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/

West Kowloon Cultural District

https://www.westkowloon.hk/en/

Circa 

https://circa.org.au/people/chair/

Connect with Decoding Cultural Leadership on social media

Instagram, Threads, X/Twitter:

@DCLPod

[email protected]

samuelcairnduff.com

@samuelcairnduff

Read Sam's Substack here.

Presenter and research: Sam Cairnduff

Creative Director: Niloofar Pashmforoosh

Presented in association with Limelight

Decoding Cultural Leadership |
Culture. Society. Conversations

Unlock the secrets of Cultural Leadership with our preview episode. 

Dive into the pulse of what the podcast is all about with our preview episode. Join Sam as he talks about the inspiration behind the podcast and gives an overview of what's coming up.

Please join us as we start the season by interviewing some of the most influential organizational leaders, creators, policy-makers, and thought leaders in the cultural sphere.

Decoding Cultural Leadership is available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Connect with Decoding Cultural Leadership on social media

Instagram, Threads, X/Twitter:

@DCLPod

[email protected]

samuelcairnduff.com

@samuelcairnduff

Read Sam's Substack here.

Presenter and research: Sam Cairnduff

Creative Director: Niloofar Pashmforoosh

Presented in association with Limelight

Decoding Cultural Leadership |
Culture. Society. Conversations