Nine shake-up as chair Catherine West steps down

Catherine West has resigned as Nine Entertainment chair less than 18 months after starting the role and will be replaced by former deputy chair of the ABC Peter Tonagh, who will take on the top job after joining the Nine board earlier this year.

West was appointed chair in June last year, replacing Peter Costello, and was tasked with leading the company’s culture review. She will formally resign at the company’s annual meeting on November 7.

Catherine West and Peter Tonagh.Credit:

West, who has served on the Nine board since 2016, said she was “proud to have successfully led the company through a transformational period”, finding that a refreshed executive team and operating model had positioned the company for “growth and the creation of shareholder value”.

Tonagh will take the reins in November, less than 12 months after joining the Nine board. He is one of Australia’s most experienced media executives and directors, a former chief executive of News Corp Australia and Foxtel, interim REA Group CEO and now holds three other chairman positions. He said it was an “honour” to be appointed chair.

“On behalf of the board, I thank Catherine for her leadership, guidance and commitment to Nine, which have been instrumental in positioning the company for sustainable success,” Tonagh said.

“I will be working closely with the board and management to drive value for all shareholders over the long term.”

Nine chief executive Matt Stanton is expected to share further details about the appointment at an employee business update on Thursday.

In a message to Nine employees, Stanton described West as a “dedicated and passionate advocate” who helped to accelerate “our cultural and strategic transformation”.

“It goes without saying that all of us at Nine wish Catherine all the best for the future and thank her for her time on the board,” Stanton wrote.

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