Former Sydney WorldPride chief executive officer Kate Wickett has been revealed as the new head of Sydney’s City Recital Hall.
Announcing the appointment on Monday morning, the board of the recital hall said Wickett’s “expertise in strategic operations and stakeholder engagement, paired with deep and respected connections across government and business sectors as well as community, position her uniquely to lead City Recital Hall into a new era of cultural prominence”.
“With a stellar record of transforming Sydney into a bustling hub for domestic and international visitors, Kate is set to bring her visionary leadership to revitalise Sydney’s cultural scene and draw audiences to the heart of the city,” the recital hall said.
Wickett replaces Justin Boschetti, who served as chief executive of the recital hall for more than four years.
Sydney WorldPride drew nearly 70,000 visitors to NSW and injected significant economic activity into the region.
City Recital Hall chair Rachel Launders said the appointment followed an extensive search process.
“Having run the very successful WorldPride 2023 in Sydney, Kate has impeccable connections into all tiers of government and the business community, which will be of great benefit to the Hall as we look to cement our place in the state’s cultural landscape, offering our exceptional and diverse programming,” Launders said.
Wickett said her goal with her new appointment was “to infuse City Recital Hall with a spirit of celebration and diversity of programming that resonates throughout this world-class venue”.
“City Recital Hall has always been a beacon of artistic excellence in Sydney,” Wickett said. “I am excited to contribute to its legacy by enhancing its role as a cultural nucleus that not only entertains but also fosters musical and orchestral excellence, performance and dialogue.”
Wickett’s background spans law, infrastructure, arts, strategic advisory, and corporate leadership.
Wickett is married to lawyer Anna Brown, chief executive officer of the advocacy group Equality Australia, which is dedicated to advocating for the equality of LGBTIQ+ people.
Brown was previously the co-chair of Australian Marriage Equality, the main campaign group that advocated for Australia to pass laws that allowed same-sex marriage.
Ben Grubb is the founder and editor of Gay Sydney News, an independent publication covering LGBTQIA+ news. A journalist with more than 15 years' experience, he has reported and edited for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, WAToday, Brisbane Times, The Australian Financial Review, News.com.au, ZDNet, TelecomTimes and iTnews, primarily on the topic of technology. He previously hosted The Informer, a queer current affairs program on Melbourne’s JOY 94.9 radio station, and contributes to LGBTQIA+ media including Stun Magazine. Ben has also appeared as a technology commentator on Channel Ten's The Project, ABC RN’s Download This Show and commercial radio stations 2UE, 2GB and 6PR. Contact Ben: ben.grubb@gaysydneynews.com.au
