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Seven appoints former Nine exec Clare Gill to head regulatory and government affairs

Seven has hired Clare Gill as its head of regulatory and government affairs, coinciding with the intensification of the clash between news companies (and the government) and the big tech platforms.

At the start of next week, Gill – previously Nine’s lead on regulatory affairs for four years before she departed at the end of 2019 – will replace Justine McCarthy, who takes up a senior adviser role in Communications Minister Paul Fletcher’s office.

Gill formerly held the equivalent regulatory role at Nine

Gill will take over McCarthy’s responsibilities stretching across government, regulatory affairs, corporate affairs, industry group representation, external stakeholder management, and strategic output.

“Clare has a long and impressive track record in government, regulatory and corporate affairs, as well as policy development, industry relations and business strategy,” Seven’s chief executive, James Warburton, said.

“She is a strong addition to our executive team and joins at a critical time for Seven West Media and the media industry in general.”

Seven is one of many media outlets currently locking horns with Google and Facebook as the government tries to ensure the News Media Bargaining Code becomes law. In a Senate Committee hearing on Friday, Google flagged it would stop providing its search function in Australia should the code in its current form become legislation.

In addition to her stint at Nine, Gill has worked as head of government and corporate affairs at SingTel Optus (she was at the telco from 2011 to 2015), and has held a number of non-executive director roles at organisations including Freeview and the Rozetta Institute. Between her departure from Nine and appointment at Seven, she was a corporate affairs consultant.

“I am thrilled to be joining Seven West Media at such an exciting time for the business and the industry,” she said of her new role.

Warburton thanked McCarthy for her three years in the role and almost nine years at Seven. She joined in 2012 as legal counsel after almost a decade working in top tier law firms.

“We are sad to lose her, and she leaves with our thanks and very best wishes for the future,” Warburton said.

“The fact that she has been selected for the new role with our minister is a tribute to her abilities, experience and profile and we look forward to continuing our association with her on industry matters at a government level.”

McCarthy added that “it has been a great privilege to lead the regulatory and government affairs team at Seven West Media and drive the achievement of a range of significant policy reforms for the media sector over the past eight years.

“At a time when this sector faces significant challenges and opportunities, I look forward to working with the Minister and contributing towards the ongoing evolution of regulatory policy from a broader perspective.”

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