Craig Hassall, former head of English National Ballet, and Olympics guru, is set to return to Australia.

Opera Australia announced today that Craig Hassall would be its new CEO. The appointment comes at the end of a four-month international recruitment drive following the departure of long-standing Chief Executive, Adrian Collette, at the end of 2012.

“I am delighted to announce that Craig Hassall has accepted the position of CEO of Opera Australia, and will commence in the role in a few months”, said Ziggy Switkowski, Chairman of Opera Australia. “There was a strong field of applicants for this executive position, many with extensive opera knowledge and clear passion for both innovation and stability. Amongst these, Craig was the outstanding candidate. He fulfilled all the requirements we were looking for including leadership and an understanding of the international cultural environment in which Opera Australia is now operating. In addition to this, his history with the company represents a personal passion and connection which is invaluable.”

Australian born, Hassall comes with an enviable background in arts management across a wide range of artforms. He is well known to Opera Australia, having started his career with the company in the 1980’s and, after...