Craig Whitehead is recognised as one of the most experienced and successful arts managers in Australia.

In a career spanning 23 years, Craig has led arts organisations across theatre, opera, symphony orchestras, and has extensive experience managing performing arts venues. Craig joined the Sydney Symphony as Interim Chief Executive in December 2021. Previously he was the Chief Executive of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra from 2019 to 2021, Chief Executive of West Australian Symphony Orchestra and Chief Executive of WA Venue and Events (the operator of the Perth Concert Hall) from 2008 to 2018, Chief Executive of West Australian Opera from 2006 to 2008, and the General Manager of La Boite Theatre Company and the company’s venue the Roundhouse Theatre from 1998 to 2006.

Craig has also served as a Director on a number of industry and government boards and committees. He has previously been the Chair of Symphony Services International, and a Director of the Australian Major Performing Arts Group. He was a committee member of the National Cultural Committee of the Australia China Business Council, a director of industry training body, Future Now, Youth Arts Queensland, Brisbane Writers Festival, and was a committee member of the Brisbane City Council’s Music and Performing Arts Advisory Committee, and a member of the Queensland Department of State Development’s Creative Industries - Performing Arts Segment Group. Craig has a Bachelor of Arts from the Queensland University of Technology, a Graduate Diploma in Business from the Queensland University of Technology, an MBA from the University of South Australia and completed the Advanced Management Program at INSEAD Business School in 2015.