SYDNEY.- The Board of the MCA announced that respected businessman and philanthropist Simon Mordant has been appointed as its Chairman.

Simon Mordant succeeds Andrew Love in the role. The Board of the MCA has expressed its gratitude to Mr Love and has acknowledged the enormous contribution he has made during his twenty years of deep involvement and leadership. Mr Love has been on the Board since 2000 and had been Chairman since 2008.

Simon Mordant is the Co Chief Executive of Greenhill Caliburn, a leading independent corporate advisory firm based in Sydney. Along with his wife Catriona, he is a renowned patron of the arts and a passionate collector of modern and contemporary art. Like Mr Love, Mr Mordant has had a long association with the MCA. Most recently, he has been the Chair of the MCA Foundation since 2007, at which time he played a vital role in kick starting the capital appeal for the Museum’s re-development by pledging $5 million to the project.

Over the past three years, Simon Mordant has been the driving force of the capital campaign, helping to secure additional donations from the private sector. In May this year, Mr Mordant took his commitment to a new level by increasing his family’s initial donation to $15 million. Along with the support of the Federal, State and Local Governments, the Mordants’ pledge was instrumental in the Board’s decision to commence the redevelopment. The main contract will commence in August 2010.

MCA Director Elizabeth Ann Macgregor said of the appointment: “I would like to join the Board in thanking Andrew Love for his support of the MCA over many years and in particular in helping us negotiate through the economic downturn last year at the same time as the Museum was planning to expand.”

In welcoming Mr Mordant Elizabeth Ann Macgregor said: “Simon and Catriona Mordant have been truly visionary in their support of the MCA. Indeed they have been involved since the very beginning, with Simon chairing the Finance Committee from 1996 – 1999. They have consistently supported us and their recent commitment to the redevelopment is unprecedented. Simon is passionate about contemporary art and education and I have no doubt that he will guide us through these exciting times with the appropriate blend of enthusiasm and vigilance, building the Board to assist us as we move into a new era.”

Simon Mordant said: “I am honoured to have been asked to Chair the MCA Board and excited to be working with Liz Ann, her team and the Directors as the MCA now has the opportunity to evolve into a world class institution with its redevelopment commencing.”