The Royal Opera House has appointed Alex Beard as its new chief executive. He replaces Tony Hall, who stands down this month following his appointment as director general of the BBC in November 2012. Beard has been deputy director of the Tate since 2002 and assumes his new role at the ROH from the beginning of the 2013-14 season. He will also be involved in key decisions prior to his arrival.

‘I’m absolutely delighted to have been appointed chief executive of the Royal Opera House,' said Beard. ‘To have the opportunity to build on Tony Hall’s achievements and strengthen the Royal Opera House’s reputation as one of the world’s leading artistic and creative forces is hugely exciting. I’m very proud to be joining a world class team led by Antonio Pappano, Kasper Holten and Kevin O’Hare, together with a superb executive and committed staff across the organisation.’

Alex Beard has worked at the Tate since 1994, during which time he set the business plan for the creation and expansion of Tate Modern, including the launch of The Tanks in the summer of 2012. The 49-year-old has overseen all the business operations of the Tate family of galleries since 2000. He has been on the board of Glyndebourne Productions Ltd since 2008 and was recently awarded a CBE for services to the arts.