Chunky Move Welcomes Leigh O'Neill as New Board Chair

The Board of Chunky Move today announced that Leigh O'Neill will take over as Board Chair.

Leigh O'Neill is the executive general manager, micro and small business, for National Australia Bank. She has more than 15 years' professional experience working in financial services in the UK, US and Australia and most recently was General Manager for NAB Private Wealth in Victoria.She has been a proponent for many of NAB's programs, in particular diversity and financially empowering women.

Leigh is a graduate of Notthingham University, with a Bachelor of Science (Hons), as well as the Australian Institute of Company Directors course, and has completed Financial Planning Certificates and an Australian Diploma of Financial Services. She was named Outstanding Relationship Manager by the Australian Private Banking Council in 2011.

Leigh is currently a Director of the Melbourne Theatre Company Foundation Board. She has advised and worked with several not for profit entities. Her previous directorships include the Griffin Theatre Company Board and the Ilhan Food Allergy Foundation.

Leigh joined the Board of Chunky Move in March 2014 and has been Deputy Chair since early 2015. She takes over the position formerly held by Peter Biggs.

Anouk van Dijk, Chunky Move Artistic Director/CEO said: "Leigh brings a wealth of experience from her previous engagements with arts boards across the country. Coupled with her stellar career in both the UK and Australian financial industries, Leigh is an incredible asset. We are very fortunate to have her as a driving force for the Company. Leigh takes over from our outgoing Chair, Peter Biggs who we thank for the amazing work he's done for the Company over the past 8 years, and for ensuring a smooth transition to Leigh. Leigh has an incredible heart for the arts and I'm excited to be working alongside her and our Executive Director Vanessa Pigrum as we shape the future of the Company."

Leigh O'Neill said: "I am thrilled to be appointed Chair of Chunky Move. Contemporary dance plays an important role in the broader arts landscape and Chunky Move is at the forefront of this, challenging us to think differently and explore our own artistic ideals. I have long admired the breadth and quality of the Company's productions and their contribution to the Australian arts community. Chunky Move is in an exciting phase of development and growth and I look forward to working with the Chunky Move team, the dance community and our Board to bring alive the future vision for the company."

Leigh will commence in her position and Board Chair this week.

Chunky Move, led by internationally acclaimed Choreographer Anouk van Dijk, constantly seeks to redefine what is, or what can be, contemporary dance in an ever-evolving Australian culture. The Company's multi-tiered programming initiatives nurture and underpin a strong and vibrant dance culture in their home city of Melbourne and creates critically acclaimed and popular productions for presentations nationally and internationally.