Wendy McCarthy To Step Down As Circus Oz Chair; Announces Nick Yates as New Chair

Wendy McCarthy AO has announced that she will retire as Circus Oz Chair at the end of October after nine years in the role.

Circus Oz General Manager Lou Oppenheim paid tribute, "Wendy has stewarded a period of significant transition for Circus Oz. On the strength of her passionate and committed leadership we are poised for an exciting and creative future."

As Ms McCarthy prepares to leave Circus Oz, she announced that Nick Yates, a current Director of the Board, will take over the role of Chair for the next two years.

Mr Yates has extensive board and executive leadership experience ranging from ASX listed entities to not-for-profit organisations in the arts and education sectors including six years as Chair of the children's cancer charity, RedKite.

With a successful career in the construction, property and facilities management industries, Mr Yates is currently Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BSA Limited, a communications, construction and technical services business.

"Nick has made a significant contribution to Circus Oz since joining the Board six years ago, particularly in assisting with the design and commissioning of our new custom-built circus home in Collingwood, generously funded by the Victorian State Government," Ms McCarthy said.

In addition, Ms McCarthy announced that Tanya Hosch will join the Circus Oz Board.
Ms Hosch is currently the General Manager, Inclusion and Social Policy with the Australian Football League, Chair of PWC Coopers Indigenous Consulting, a member of the NAB Indigenous Advisory group and Director of the Indigenous Land Corporation.
A Torres Strait Islander woman, Ms Hosch recently served as Joint Campaign Director and the public face of the RECOGNISE campaign and is a former board member of several organisations, including the Bangarra Dance Theatre.

"I am delighted that Circus Oz will once again have a person who identifies as First Nations at the board level, and that someone of Tanya's corporate and board experience has decided to join us," Ms McCarthy said.

Ms McCarthy said that she had thoroughly enjoyed her time with Circus Oz, particular highlights being the funding and development of a permanent purpose-built home for Circus Oz and the introduction of the two key professional development programs; Strong Women focused on emerging female artists; and BLAKflip for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performers. She oversaw a significant transition in the leadership of Circus Oz, specifically the appointment of a new General Manager who joined the company in 2013 and new Artistic Director in 2016.

"I will miss the energy and creativity of the company but feel confident that it will continue to grow and do great things under its new leadership. I wish Circus Oz the best of luck," Ms McCarthy said.

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