Southern Cross Media chair Heith Mackay-Cruise to exit company, Teresa Dyson talkes helm
The media group says director Teresa Dyson will replace Heith Mackay-Cruise when he finishes up on June 30.
Southern Cross Media chair Heith Mackay-Cruise is stepping down, handing the reins to fellow director Teresa Dyson.
Mr Mackay-Cruise, who guided Southern Cross into a merger with Seven West Media in February, said he would step down on June 30, saying “it is the right time for me to move on to other challenges”.
The announcement came as Southern Cross confirmed it received on Friday a demand from Sandon Capital to put resolutions to shareholders for the removal of Mr Mackay-Cruise and two other directors, Ido Leffler and Marina Go.
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It said also that her re-election would be supported by Southern Cross’ biggest shareholder, 20 per cent investor SGH, which is controlled by the Stokes family.
Southern Cross owns West Australian Newspapers, the publisher of thewest.com.au and The Nightly, the Seven television network and the Triple M and Hit radio networks.
“After almost six years on the board and more than two years as chairman of Southern Cross Media Group, I am proud to have overseen the restructuring of the company, combining with Seven West Media to create the largest commercial media platform that services all of Australia,” Mr Mackay-Cruise said.
“With the appointment of Rohan Lund as our new managing director and chief executive officer, I believe SCA is well-positioned for the future, and it is the right time for me to move on to other challenges.”
Ms Dyson, who was a director of SWM for more than eight years and is currently on the boards of humm group and Invest Gold Coast, acknowledged Mr Mackay-Cruise’s contribution.
“I am looking forward to working closely with Heith, Rohan and my fellow directors over the upcoming transition period and as we continue to drive our performance, deliver the full value and synergies of our operations and diverse content platforms, and carefully manage succession on the board,” Ms Dyson said.
Ms Dyson said that with the pending exits of Mr Mackay-Cruise and Mr Leffler, the company would look to augment the board with new independent non-executive directors.
Originally published as Southern Cross Media chair Heith Mackay-Cruise to exit company, Teresa Dyson talkes helm
