It has been announced that former Qantas boss Alan Joyce has resigned as chair of the board of Sydney Theatre Company.

Joyce was appointed in March 2023 but his physical presence has been little felt since then and he has been notably absent during the boardroom meltdown brought about by a pro-Palestinian protest by three actors during the opening night curtain call of STC’s production of The Seagull.

Three high-profile board members quit over the ensuing controversy and STC management’s handling of the fallout, but Joyce made no public comment.

Sydney Theatre Company. Photo supplied

According to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, Joyce will be replaced by the well-known Eastern Suburbs philanthropist Ann Johnson, who has been warming Joyce’s seat during his absence.

In a statement, Joyce said he had intended to return to his leadership role at the STC by the end of January but ‘“current challenges’ facing the company required significant time in the role.”

“I do not believe that I will be able to devote the considerable time necessary in the next couple of months,” Joyce added.