New chair for Perth Festival

Perth businessman Tim Ungar has been appointed chair of Perth Festival.

Mr Ungar, a board member of Perth Festival since July 2015, replaces management consultant John Barrington, who was appointed chair in 2015.

The announcement comes as Perth Festival hired a new artistic director, Iain Grandage, after four festivals under the artistic direction of Wendy Martin.

Mr Ungar is chairman and part owner of national sales, marketing and operations company TSA Group and is also director of the Ungar Family Foundation, which is a patron of one of the festivals four philanthropic programs.

Mr Ungar said he was excited to be taking the position of chair as the festival explored new opportunities and continued to build a creative community and enhance the state’s vitality.

“I look forward to working together on this with the festival team and all our supporters and partners, whose generosity and vision has enabled the festival to tell extraordinary stories and deliver unforgettable experiences for the people of Western Australia,” Mr Ungar said.

Mr Barrington said it had been a privilege to serve as a director since 2012, chair the festival since 2015 and play a role in leading a period of strong growth and community engagement for the festival.

Mr Ungar takes up his appointment on April 25.

Perth Festival began in 1953.