Norman Gillespie, the embattled chief executive of the Sydney Opera House, will resign his post tomorrow, almost two months before the expiration of his contract.

Today's Sydney Morning Herald reports that Gillespie is leaving ahead of schedule due to difficult relations with Opera House staff and continuing controversy over his romance with Claire Swaffield, an accountant who was appointed to an executive position during his tenure.

The 50-year-old Gillespie, who came on board as CEO in 2002, had announced in May that he would step down when his contract expires at the end of September. The Herald indicated at that time that the Opera House Board of Trustees declined to renew his contract.

An interim replacement for Gillespie will be appointed while the Opera House Board concludes its search for a permanent chief executive. There is now a shortlist of about five candidates for the position, according to the Herald.

By Matthew Westphal