Seven's 'Mr Ambitious' heads for the exits with private equity the likely next stop
After about 15 years across two stints, Seven West Media managing director and chief executive James Warburton is leaving the company. His next stop could be in private markets.
After about 15 years across two stints, Seven West Media managing director and chief executive James Warburton — known to some of his colleagues as “Mr Ambitious” — is expected to consider his pick of roles in private equity after leaving the Kerry Stokes controlled television company.
The announcement of Warburton's unexpected departure on Thursday morning triggered an outpouring of praise from executives for the Seven boss, who was tapped for the top job in 2019 and has since turned the network into a ratings powerhouse. A strong leader and a shrewd investor is how his colleagues have described him on the way out — even if Seven's share price tells a different story.
He will be replaced by the company’s chief financial officer Jeff Howard at the end of the 2024 financial year.
Seven announced Warburton’s departure and Howard's elevation on Thursday morning, laying out a transition path that will begin “on or before” 30 June next year. Stokes commended Warburton’s contribution to the company, where he arrived “at a difficult time” before turning it into a ratings winner.
