Live Performance Australia's Evelyn Richardson Steps Down As Chief Executive

Evelyn Richardson, the Chief Executive of Live Performance Australia, the peak body for the country’s live music industry, will step down from her role after 18 years at the end of 2024.

Richardson has brought knowledge of all sectors of live performance, including gigs, theatre productions, music promotion, music festivals, performing arts companies, symphony orchestras and independent cinemas to the role, representing all bodies of live performance as Chief Executive.

In addition to her 18 years of experience as Chief Executive at Live Performance Australia, Richardson has been a CEO (at the Game Developers Association of Australia), Principal Consultant (The Strategy Shop), General Manager (Grey Interactive), Director of Industry and Community Development (Multimedia Victoria) and Executive Manager at two research organisations.

In February 2021, IQ Magazine named Richardson one of the unsung heroes of 2020. Live Performance Australia will soon commence an external search process for its next Chief Executive.

Richardson expressed her gratitude to Live Performance Australia, writing: “It has been a privilege to serve as Chief Executive for what will be 18 years at the end of 2024. It has been an incredible journey through a time of tremendous change and challenge across our industry.

“I am deeply grateful for the support of our 400-plus members over many years, through both good times and some very tough years.”

Making mention of the organisation’s 400-plus members’ “resilience, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit,” Richardson called those attributes a strength and said they reflected the “incredible people that make up our live arts and entertainment industry.”

Richardson continued, “I have been most fortunate to have received amazing support from LPA Presidents Richard Evans AM and Andrew Kay AM before him. Their commitment, unwavering support and insights during my tenure have been critical as has that of the current LPA Management Committee, particularly Maria O’Connor and John Kotzas AM.

“I am pleased to leave LPA in a very strong position as an effective industry voice and leader, with a strong financial base and an amazing team in my wonderful staff who do all the hard work on behalf of Members.”

In a separate statement, LPA President Richard Evans AM said: “Under Evelyn’s stewardship, LPA has become a trusted and highly effective source of advice, guidance and leadership for our Members across Australia’s live arts and entertainment industry.

“Our Members and industry have faced many challenges and twists and turns in the road over the years. Evelyn has always ensured that LPA has been at the frontline with government, other industry bodies and unions to support and advocate for our Members and industry.”

Evans added that Richardson’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic “ensured LPA continued to provide much-needed support for our Members and a strong voice to government on their needs during a tumultuous period while ensuring the organisation’s financial and operational sustainability.”