Kim Williams quits as News Corp Australia boss
Former Foxtel CEO Kim Williams has resigned as CEO of News Corp Australia, after nearly 20 years with the company.
- Published by David Knox
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Former Foxtel CEO Kim Williams has resigned as chief executive of News Corp Australia, after nearly 20 years with the company.
He has held the role of CEO since December 2011, following a decade at the helm of Foxtel.
He will be replaced by Julian Clarke.
News Corp owns 50% of Foxtel and 100% of FOX Sports.
News Corp executive chairman Rupert Murdoch said, “I want to sincerely thank Kim, first for his nearly two decades of service to News Corp; but more importantly, for his loyalty and friendship to me and my family all of these years.
“From the early days when we opened Fox Studios Australia, to his tenacious work building Foxtel and Fox Sports into the powerhouse it is today, Kim has always operated with great integrity and skill. It was with that in mind that I turned to him and asked him to leave the security of the pay TV business and takeover the whole of our Australian operations as chief executive of News Corp Australia.
“Kim has been a steady and courageous leader at a time when our businesses have faced unprecedented pressure and economic challenges. I want to thank him for his unwavering commitment, and the blood, sweat and tears he has put into News Corp Australia. We wish him well in all future endeavours and look forward to continuing our friendship in the years to come.”
Williams was appointed chief executive of News Corp Australia after 10 years as chief executive of Foxtel. He previously held various executive positions, including as chief executive of Fox Studios Australia, the Australian Film Commission, Southern Star Entertainment and Musica Viva Australia, and served as a Senior Executive at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Williams said, “I am confident that I leave the company in a strong position and with good foundations for the future. It has been a privilege to work for News Corp across almost 20 years, and I have no doubt it will remain the most memorable element in my professional commercial life. News has many of the finest people in media in our country, and I salute them and their continuing efforts in their service of Australia and Australians.”
5 Responses
Next job should be a cabinet position in Winston Churchill’s caretaker government. I always get the 40s politician vibe from him.
Did what was necessary, rip us all off re Foxtel
@ Pertinax – that’s very interesting to know. Obviously Kim would make a deal that was in the best interests of a 100% owned News Corp company (FOX Sports) rather than a minority owned one (TEN), but Lachlan seems like a bit of a twit. Either way it’s sad to see an iconic Australian media exec leave.
After the split News Corp is now the international Newspapers plus Foxtel (as a cash source to fund the cuts and changes required to make them profitable in the digital age).
Williams is a TV man. He reportedly didn’t get on with the press culture, something needed for this job. He also pissed of Lachlan, a board member, by doing a deal in Foxsports interest with Nine for the NRL, instead of doing a deal that may have saved Ten.
But why? Being in his 60s and with the amount News Corp pay their execs he could easily retire yet in his quote he refers to his future business which is weird…