Challis & Company

20/04/2026

We are pleased to congratulate Peter Yates AM FTSE on his appointment as Non-Executive Director and Chair-Elect of Regal Partners.

It was a privilege for Challis & Company to work on this appointment, and we thank the Board of Regal Partners for the opportunity to support the process.

The long-time Macquarie banker ran Publishing and Broadcasting Limited until 2004, and will become the asset manager’s new chairman if approved by shareholders.

28/03/2026

We welcome the appointment of Stela Solar as the incoming CEO of Stone & Chalk, commencing this Monday.

Challis & Company was pleased to support the Board on this appointment, working closely with the Chair Richard Kimber and Non-Executive Directors to identify and assess candidates of the calibre this important organisation deserves.

Stone & Chalk is one of Australia’s leading technology and innovation hubs, and we are confident that Stela brings the vision, energy and leadership needed to advance its mission of scaling startups and deepening Australia’s innovation ecosystem.

This appointment also builds on our work over the past several years across the innovation sector, including CEO searches for organisations such as Cicada Innovations and the RoZetta Institute.

We wish Stela every success as she steps into the role.

Former Head of the National AI Centre and Accenture Data & AI Managing Director to lead the next chapter of growth for Stone & Chalk.

06/03/2026

We welcome the appointment by The Hon Anika Wells MP (Minister for Communications and Minister for Sport) of Dr Nicholas Pappas AM as the new Chairperson of Special Broadcasting Service (SBS).

Challis & Company was pleased to yet again support the independent Nomination Panel and the Department of infrastructure Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts on this appointment.

We first worked on SBS Board appointments in 2016 and—over the past decade—have been involved in appointing many well-regarded Non-Executive Directors, including former Chairpersons Hass Dellal AO and George Savvides AM; the current Deputy Chair Christine Zeitz, as well as the new Chair.

With Darren Challis's recent retirement, this sadly brings to a close our work supporting appointments to the Board of SBS—an important national institution reflecting Australia’s multicultural society and First Nations peoples.

https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/wells/media-release/new-chairperson-appointed-sbs-board

02/03/2026

Challis & Company was pleased to support the Australian Treasury and the Panel in relation to this recent appointment to the Reserve Bank of Australia's Monetary Policy Board.

The Board carries significant responsibility for decisions that influence inflation, employment and the broader economy. We congratulate Professor Bruce Preston on his appointment and wish him every success.

The Albanese Government has appointed Professor Bruce Preston as a part‑time member of the Reserve Bank of Australia Monetary Policy Board.Professor Preston is one of Australia’s most highly respected and experienced macroeconomists and he will do an excellent job on the Monetary Policy Board.

21/10/2025

Challis & Company was proud to partner with the Board of Cicada Innovations on the appointment of Liza Noonan as CEO.

This appointment continues our work supporting organisations at the forefront of innovation and technology commercialisation in Australia.

Cicada Innovations names innovation leader Liza Noonan as its new CEO, to accelerate Australia’s deep tech ambitions

10/10/2025

Challis & Company is proud of our continuing work in climate change, including board and executive appointments across the commercial, government and not-for-profit sectors. We are delighted to have supported the Board of the Carbon Market Institute in the appointment of Dr Sasha Courville as Chief Executive Officer.

CMI acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. CMI supports Indigenous carbon opportunities and traditional land, sea and fire management practices.

24/09/2025

Challis & Company is proud to be supporting the search for the next Chairperson of the Special Broadcasting Service Corporation (SBS).

We are honoured to continue working with the independent Nomination Panel, which recommends candidates to the Minister for Communications, on this important appointment as well as future Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and SBS Board roles.

Strong leadership matters for Australia’s public broadcasters, and we’re delighted to play a part in shaping their future.

25/07/2025

Challis & Company is partnering with IP Australia on the appointment of two Board members to the Trans-Tasman IP Attorneys Board. The Board administers the regulatory and disciplinary regimes for patent attorneys in Australia and NZ, and trade marks attorneys in Australia.

To fully meet the Board’s remit requires a diversity of perspectives and experience. The Australian Government is looking for individuals with:

(a) substantial experience or knowledge; and
(b) significant standing,

in at least one of the following fields:

(c) Australian patent attorney practice;
(d) Australian trade mark attorney practice;
(e) the regulation of persons engaged in a prescribed occupation;
(f) public administration;
(g) academia.

Alternative backgrounds that may be considered include:

(h) the legal profession;
(i) the innovation, commercialisation and technology sectors that drive the IP system; and
(j) tertiary education accreditation and quality processes.

APS Jobs, gateway to the Australian Public Service.

09/04/2025

Challis & Company is pleased to be supporting the Board of Opera Australia on the appointment of the Company's next CEO.

Opera Australia (‘OA’) is the nation’s premier opera company and one of its most important cultural institutions. With a rich history and a global reputation for artistic excellence, OA presents over 500 performances each year—reaching more than 650,000 people through opera, musicals and concerts. Its productions span iconic venues such as the Sydney Opera House and Arts Centre Melbourne, as well as regional centres across the country. OA is committed to artistic innovation, national reach and cultural leadership. It nurtures Australian talent on and off the stage; collaborates with leading international and local companies, and brings extraordinary stories to life through music and song. With a full-time orchestra, dedicated chorus and a highly skilled workforce, OA is Australia’s largest performing arts employer and plays a vital role in Australia’s performing arts landscape and in the lives of audiences nationwide.

The Company is seeking a dynamic, strategic and collaborative Chief Executive Officer (‘CEO’) to lead the Company into its next chapter. This is a compelling opportunity to shape the artistic and commercial future of a national icon—delivering high-quality seasons; driving innovation, and deepening audience engagement across Australia.

Reporting to the Board, the CEO will lead OA’s talented team; foster a culture of excellence and inclusion, and balance artistic ambition with financial sustainability. The CEO oversees OA’s strategy formulation; the financial health of the organisation, the long-term approach to programming; the capability of and collaboration among the workforce; national stakeholder engagement, and philanthropic growth—ensuring Opera Australia remains relevant, resilient and artistically vibrant in a changing cultural landscape. A key priority is leading the Company through a period of change; strengthening an inclusive, collaborative and cohesive workforce of up to 1,300 people, and ensuring a company that is enduring and financially sustainable.

We are looking for a leader who can:

• Unite diverse artistic and operational teams around shared goals
• Engage credibly with artists, government and donors
• Drive performance through insight and planning
• Ensure financial sustainability through thoughtful planning, cost control and commercial acumen
• Champion opera and musical theatre in a variety of forms for contemporary Australian audiences

Experience as a CEO in the arts, cultural or adjacent sectors is preferred, along with a strong track record of organisational leadership in complex, public-facing environments. The ideal candidate will bring commercial and operational acumen, alongside a deep appreciation for the role of the performing arts in public life. An understanding of opera—or a genuine curiosity and willingness to engage with its artistic and cultural dimensions—is essential. The CEO must be able to connect authentically with artists, audiences, funders and stakeholders, and bring clarity, conviction and credibility to a role that sits at the intersection of culture, community and commerce.

For a Role specification, please contact Helen Johnson at Challis & Company on +61 2 8039 2223 or at [email protected].

Applications close: Wednesday, 30 April 2025.

Opera Australia is seeking a dynamic, strategic and collaborative Chief Executive Officer (‘CEO’) to lead the Company into its next chapter.

10/02/2025

Challis & Company is proud to be supporting—once again—the independent Nomination Panel recommending candidates for appointment to the Board of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)

Posted 11:10:01 PM. Applications are invited to fill one non-executive Director vacancy on the Australian Broadcasting…See this and similar jobs on LinkedIn.