Tate's Alex Beard gets top job at Royal Opera House Deputy director of the Tate Alex Beard has been appointed to the top role at the Royal Opera House. He will take over as chief executive, replacing Tony Hall who is to become director-general of the BBC. Beard, 49, has worked at Tate since 1994 - helping to establish Tate Modern - and has been deputy director since 2002. He said he was "absolutely delighted" to have been given his new role at the Opera House, adding: "To have the opportunity to build on Tony Hall's achievements and strengthen the Royal Opera House's reputation as one of the world's leading artistic and creative forces is hugely exciting." Simon Robey, chairman of the board of trustees at the ROH, said: "Alex Beard has a passion for the work we do at the Royal Opera House. I am confident he will forge excellent partnerships with our artistic leadership and our executive team, and that they will, together, lead the Opera House to still greater heights. Lord Hall has been brought in to the BBC to replace George Entwistle, who lasted just 54 days as DG. Tim Davie has been acting director-general since Mr Entwistle's resignation late last year.