The Royal Melbourne Showgrounds is host to the Royal Melbourne Show in addition to a wide variety of events and activities, including trade shows, exhibitions, expos and festivals. As Melbourne's largest and most versatile venue covering 19 hectares, it offers a unique range of indoor and outdoor spaces including purpose-built exhibition and event spaces in well maintained heritage buildings.
The Royal Melbourne Showgrounds Joint Venture (JV) commenced in 2003 as a joint initiative of Melbourne Royal (previously the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria) and the State Government of Victoria. The JV Board is responsible for administering the contract for the Public Private Partnership (PPP) project for the redevelopment of the Showgrounds facilities which took place in, and the ongoing management of the assets, including ensuring the 25-year contract with the Showgrounds Concessionaire is properly managed through to 2031.
The JV Board comprises an Independent Chairperson, three State Members and three Melbourne Royal Members, as well as alternate members from each JV party. We are seeking applications from those who may have an interest in and are suitably qualified to be appointed as the Independent Chairperson. The Independent Chairperson appointment commences on 15 September 2026, for a standard three-year term. The Independent Chairperson is appointed by the Victorian Government upon recommendation by the Minister for Agriculture post consultation with the Chairperson of the Melbourne Royal Board, and provides independent and impartial leadership to the JV, guiding the Board members to deliver superior commercial outcomes for the project and the achievement of its goals.To be considered for this appointment you will be an experienced Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson or Director of a Board and well-versed in corporate governance. The role requires complementary skills in the following areas: strong commercial acumen; the ability to identify strategic business opportunities, to deliver innovative solutions, and large-scale project and facilities management. The ability to lead and implement change, and to work collaboratively with stakeholders to drive outcomes are also key requirements. High level skills in one or more of the following will be favourably considered: finance; investment; project management; business development; and/or law. Experience in Public Private Partnerships and an understanding of Victorian Agribusiness will be highly regarded.
The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring that government agencies reflect the rich diversity of the Victorian community and facilitate diversity and inclusion across Victorian Government Boards. We encourage applications from women, people of all ages, Aboriginal people, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, LGBTIQA+ people, and people living in rural and regional Victoria. We will provide adjustments to the recruitment process upon request.
You are not obligated to disclose any personal information, but it can help us understand how we can support you through the recruitment process and beyond. We invite you to tell us if you identify as Aboriginal, a person with disability, from a culturally or linguistically diverse background, LGBTIQA+ or a young person, aged 25 years old or less. Sharing this information will help you access support should you need it and will also help us to better understand how we can best support you both through the application process, and upon role commencement should you be successful.
For further background information on these appointments and/or the application process, please contact Kathryn Harper, Partner and Co-Head of Government, or Nathaniel Colgan-Zito, Research Associate at Amrop Carmichael Fisher by email at or on their mobiles, Kathryn –, or Nathaniel –
Should you wish to apply for the Independent Chairperson position, please provide the following documentation:
* A completed Expression of Interest (contact Amrop Carmichael Fisher for the document);
* A Cover Letter, explaining how your background and experience is relevant to the role; and
* Your Curriculum Vitae.
Applications are to be submitted to Kathryn Harper, Partner and Co-Head of Government, Amrop Carmichael Fisher via email to quoting reference number KH-21758.
Expressions of Interest close at 5.00pm Friday, 7 November 2025.