Emaar Properties has appointed Jasper Hope as chief executive of the Dubai Opera, the centre piece of the Opera District development in Downtown Dubai.

Hope is an accomplished international professional with deep insights into the management of high-end cultural venues.

He earlier held the position of chief operating officer at the Royal Albert Hall in London, one of the world’s leading cultural and entertainment facilities.

He assumed control of Dubai Opera in January 2015, bringing his expertise in promoting high-end cultural destinations.

As chief executive of Dubai Opera, he will serve as its lead officer and international advocate focused on setting its artistic direction and driving global stakeholder relationships.

Billed as Dubai’s new cultural icon, Dubai Opera is a 2,000-seat multi-format venue for opera, theatre, concerts, art exhibitions, orchestra, film, sports events, and seasonal programmes.

Hope, who has extensive experience in creating, directing and promoting global events, is mandated with ensuring the commercial success of Dubai Opera and developing its profile internationally.

Ahmad Al Matrooshi, managing director of Emaar Properties, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jasper Hope on board our prestigious cultural icon.

“His deep expertise in managing internationally renowned venues and tremendous industry insights will be a great asset in establishing Dubai Opera as one of the world’s most prestigious cultural destinations.

“With Dubai Opera, we aim to further define Dubai’s cultural richness and create a dynamic platform for intercultural exchange. Mr. Hope’s proven track-record in identifying and motivating talent will be a strong resource in achieving our goals.”

Renowned in the industry as a creative, commercial and resourceful leader, Hope has proven experience in successfully delivering a programme of change for the venues he leads apart from conceptualising and executing a diverse range of notable events in many of the world’s unique venues.

He explained: “Dubai Opera is a fantastic development with tremendous potential to serve as the Gulf region’s defining destination for cultural events.

“I am thankful to Emaar Properties for this opportunity to serve a region that is fast-evolving as one of the leading artistic and cultural hubs in the world.

“An iconic development such as Dubai Opera will be a catalyst for the city’s cultural scene and serve as a magnet to attract international professionals and large-scale productions, further building Dubai’s reputation globally.”

Earlier, as chief operating officer of Royal Albert Hall, he was responsible for the successful implementation of all operational management criteria and the leadership of the day-to-day business of the venue.

Under his leadership, the prestigious venue achieved close to 400 events each year, making it one of the busiest venues in the world

He also served as senior director of AEG Live at UK Live Events, responsible for creating and managing new entertainment business for the company.