Catherine West to step down as Chair of Australia's Nine Entertainment

Nine Entertainment Co. has announced that Catherine West will retire as chair and non-executive director at the conclusion of the company’s 2025 Annual General Meeting on 7 November. Peter Tonagh, who joined the Nine board in January 2025 as an independent non-executive director, will assume the role of chair following the AGM. Tonagh has held senior leadership positions across media, technology and analytics, including CEO of "Foxtel", CEO of "News Corp Australia", interim CEO of "REA Group", and deputy chair of the "ABC". He is currently chair of Quantium, GTN Limited and not-for-profit organisation "Bus Stop Films".

West, who has served on the Nine board since 2016 and as chair since 2023, said the timing was right for an orderly succession. The exec expressed words of gratitude for her journey within the company: 'It has been a privilege to be part of the leadership of this iconic Australian company for almost 10 years, most recently as Chair and Deputy Chair. Nine is part of Australia’s fabric and plays a critical role in preserving our democracy, nurturing our culture and shaping our national identity," stated". 

West added: "I am proud to have successfully led the company through a transformational period. In FY25, Nine emerged stronger from the acceleration of our Company-wide strategic and cultural transformation and by harnessing the power of the Nine Group. Nine has a refreshed executive team, a reset operating model and, through the "Nine2028" strategy, has positioned the company for growth and the creation of shareholder value. The divestment of "Domain" crystallised significant value for shareholders and with a strengthened balance sheet Nine can focus capital and energy on media assets where it has clear competitive advantages".

Finally, Peter Tonagh Tonagh thanked for the opportunity: "It’s an honour to be appointed Chair-elect of the Nine Board – a great Australian company with a rich heritage and an exciting future. 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. I will be working closely with the Board and management to drive value for all shareholders over the long term," noted.