Another Nine director to depart network
Another Nine Entertainment director has reportedly exited the company.
On Wednesday afternoon, the media giant confirmed to Mumbrella that its Sydney news director, Simon Hobbs, will depart this week.
“Nine can confirm further leadership changes were communicated to its TV News division today,” a Nine spokesperson said.
“An internal and external recruitment process is now underway for News Directors in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.”
Hobbs has worked as director of news in Sydney since 2012.
Simon Hobbs. Image via LinkedIn
The news comes just days after the network confirmed that former Nine News Queensland director, Amanda Paterson, exited last week effective immediately.
Paterson – who worked at Nine for 31 years and had served in the news director role since 2016. – reportedly engaged high profile media lawyer, John Laxon, within 24 hours of being let go.
“Nine can confirm a leadership change was announced within the Queensland TV News & Current Affairs department,” a Nine spokesperson told Mumbrella at the time.
“An internal and external recruitment process will now commence.”
Catherine West
The news comes after Nine Entertainment chair, Catherine West, faced angry shareholders at the company’s AGM last week as close to 40% voted against its executive remuneration report.
Both West – who had a 17% vote against her re-election – and acting CEO, Matt Stanton, addressed a number of concerns off the bat, including the workplace cultural review findings, the massive drop in market capitalisation of Nine and Domain, and the loss of funding from social media giants.
During the AGM, Stanton advised that an “action plan” in response to the workplace report has been submitted to the Board.
The report – developed by independent consulting firm Intersection – uncovered “concerning levels of inappropriate workplace behaviours” at the media company. Abuse of authority and power, inequity, reports of bullying, harassment and more were all found to be prevalent within the media company.
Stanton will lead the program, alongside chief people officer Vanessa Morley, with regular reporting to the Board.
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Neil Griffiths is the Managing Editor of Mumbrella. He joined the company in October 2023.
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