NZME chief executive Jane Hastings resigns
'Hurricane Jane' exits the building, to be replaced by chief financial officer Michael Boggs.
'Hurricane Jane' exits the building, to be replaced by chief financial officer Michael Boggs.
NZME chief executive Jane Hastings has resigned after just 18 months in the role.
She will be replaced by chief financial officer Michael Boggs early next month, according to a statement from Australian parent company APN News & Media [ASX: APN].
Ms Hastings has led NZME since September 2014, overseeing the integration of the New Zealand Herald, Grabone and the Radio Network into one newsroom. She has worked for the parent company since early 2012 when she became chief executive of the Radio Network.
Ina statement to the ASX and NZX, Ms Hastings says that her decision was “difficult” but that it was time to pursue other opportunities.
“I am extremely proud of achieving the transformation goals set for NZME and I have complete confidence in the future of the business,” she says.
“NZME is well positioned for the future with the business organised into new verticals of news, sport and entertainment, which are delivering strong audience growth.”
In the statement, APN chief executive Ciaran Davis thanks Ms Hastings for her contribution to the business and says she “transformed the business” into an audience-centric and content-driven media organisation.
Her successor, Mr Boggs, joined NZME from Tower Insurance in October 2013, a role in which he received New Zealand’s chief financial officer of the year award.
Mr Davis describes him as a “natural successor” to Ms Hastings, who has previously held management positions as the Radio Network, Amalgamated Holdings, Tequila\TBWA and Draftfcb.
It is unclear what her next move will be.
APN's dual-listed shares last traded at 65 cents on the NZX and 57.5 Australian cents on the ASX.
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