Alex Beard has been appointed as Chief Executive of the Royal Opera House, taking up his post in time for the 2013/14 season.

Beard, recently awarded a CBE for services to music, comes from The Tate, where he's been Deputy Director since 2002. Simon Robey, head of the Royal Opera House's Board of Trustees, commented that he's confident 'Beard will lead the Opera House to still greater heights'.