Richard Dilly

Richard Dilly brings almost 20 years of leadership experience at world-class visitor attractions to his new role as the Director, Experience & Engagement at the Australian Museum, where he oversees exhibitions, public programs, visitor experience and engagement, as well as commercial operations.

Since 2016, Richard has led five of Sydney's most popular attractions; SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, Madame Tussauds Sydney, Sydney Tower Eye, Immersive Gamebox Sydney, as Cluster General Manager for Merlin Entertainments Australia and New Zealand. Under his leadership, these attractions have achieved consistent double-digit growth while dramatically improving visitor satisfaction. Richard has successfully introduced innovative attractions and revenue streams, including virtual reality experiences and strategic partnerships. He has built strong, engaged teams while maintaining the highest standards in safety.

Before his role as Cluster General Manager for Merlin Entertainments Australia and New Zealand, Richard managed Scarborough Sea Life Sanctuary in England and held senior positions across the United Kingdom and United States. His career began as an entertainment host at Thorpe Park before progressing through various roles within the visitor attractions industry.

As a conservation advocate, he served on the Board of the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia from 2020 to 2024, helping set industry standards and securing pandemic support for tourism. Richard holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in French and Spanish from Royal Holloway, University of London.