Richard Dilly - Board Member

General Manager, Darling Harbour Attractions: SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium & WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

Richard (or Dilly, as he is commonly known) started his career in the tourism industry, working in a number of UK theme parks before realising his passion and moving into the world of zoos and aquaria. Since 2011, Dilly has held various operational positions across a number of the UK’s leading SEA LIFE aquaria and in 2016 moved across the world to take on the position of General Manager, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

Over the past 4 years, Dilly has been instrumental in driving the profile, commerciality and impact of one of Australia’s most celebrated marine attractions, conceptualising and launching various capital and conservation projects including rescue operations, breeding programs to bolster wild populations, and the launch of bespoke zones such as Day and Night on the Reef (2018), Shark Dive Xtreme (2018) and Penguin Expedition (2016) leading to significant year on year commercial growth. 

In June 2020, Dilly was elected to the ZAA Board, and also added two more attractions to his portfolio in WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and Madame Tussauds Sydney.