Southern Cross Media appoints Rohan Lund as chief executive officer

Southern Cross Media Group has appointed experienced media and telecommunications executive Rohan Lund as chief executive.

Mr Lund, who was the group chief executive of NRMA for almost a decade, joined Southern Cross’ board last month and will begin in his new role on May 1.

At NRMA, the organisation became a diversified tourism, transport and services group, with vast experience in organisational change, diversification of portfolios and long-tern strategic and cultural reform plans. This included broadening NRMA’s tourism offering that now includes holiday parks, luxury lodges, car rental services, ferries and expedition cruising, as well as advocating and leading policy influence across road safety, electrification and national charging infrastructure.

Mr Lund was previously chief operating officer at Foxtel, Seven West Media, the founding chief executive of Yahoo!7 and chief strategy officer at Singtel Optus.

“Rohan brings deep media experience, digital and technology-enabled transformation capability, and values-driven leadership skills,” Southern Cross executive chair Heith Mackay-Cruise said in a statement on Friday.

“He has led complex organisations through significant change, while maintaining a strong focus on culture, trust and long-term value creation.

“The board is looking forward to working with Rohan to achieve our strategic objectives.”

Mr Lund said he was excited to begin work in the new role.

“Southern Cross Media Group is one of Australia’s most important media businesses, with great talent, content and impressive scale and reach across television, audio, digital and publishing,” he said.

“I am excited to work with the board and leadership team to accelerate our digital and operational transformation and continue to strengthen our culture and performance in the interests of our shareholders, partners and people.”

Mr Lund also has a Bachelor and Masters of Laws from Queensland University of Technology.

In announcing Mr Lund’s appointment to staff, Mr Mackay-Cruise said John Kelly would remain as interim CEO of TV and Audio until June 30 as part of a handover period, and then revert to his role as managing director — audio.

Mr Mackay-Cruise’s temporary role as executive chair will conclude when Mr Lund begins on May 1, and he will revert to being independent non-executive chair of the board.

Southern Cross Media Group owns The Nightly, The West Australian and The Sunday Times, as well the Seven Network, LiSTNR and the Hit and Triple M radio networks.