Douglas was appointed as the inaugural CEO of the Royal Arts Complex in April 2025. This world class cultural hub will feature the Museum of World Cultures, the National Theatre, the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (with academies for Traditional Visual Arts, Cultural Heritage & Restoration, and Theatrical Arts), secondary performance and cinema venues, The Dome exhibition hall, a research and learning center, and artist studios and workshops.
Douglas was the CEO and Artistic Director of Adelaide Festival Centre from 2006 until earlier this year. During this time, he initiated a major ‘program-led’ revival which increased audiences and positioned the Centre as a hub for Asian-Australian cultural engagement. He also led the redevelopment of the award winning Her Majesty’s Theatre.
He has international experience in media, tourism and the arts, including as Director of the Hong Kong Arts Festival, Deputy Executive Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Director of Corporate Affairs of STAR TV, Head of Concert Music for ABC and Head of Music and Arts for Radio Television Hong Kong.
He was also founding Vice-Chairman of the Asian Arts Festival Association and a Board Member of the Asian Cultural Council (Rockefeller Foundation). Douglas’ Board other positions have included, Chair of the Association of Asia Pacific Performing Arts Centres, Deputy Chancellor of Flinders University, and Member of the Adelaide UNESCO City of Music Board, Australia-Singapore Arts Group, Global Cultural Districts Network Board, Live Performance Australia and National Foundation for Australia-China Relations Advisory Board.
In 2016, Douglas was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for services to the arts and the community.
