Ryan Stokes appointed chair of Southern Cross Media Group

Ryan Stokes has been appointed Non-Executive Chair of Southern Cross Media Group, with Teresa Dyson stepping down from the role as the company reshapes its board leadership following its combination with Seven West Media.

The changes take effect immediately, with Dyson remaining on the board as a Non-Executive Director and taking responsibility for a newly established Risk, Regulatory & Compliance Committee.

The company's independent directors have also elected Cathy O'Connor as Lead Independent Director.

Stokes has served as a director of Southern Cross Media Group since its combination with Seven West Media was completed in January 2026. He is also Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SGH Limited, which holds a substantial interest in Southern Cross Media Group.

The company said the board changes followed the appointment of Managing Director and CEO Rohan Lund and the completion of the enlarged group’s management structure and operating model.

Stokes takes the chair

Stokes said the board’s focus would be on supporting management as the combined business moves into its next phase.

“Southern Cross has outstanding brands, audiences and reach, and a clear opportunity in front of it. The role we play to engage, inform and entertain our audiences, and to connect them with our customers, remains essential to the communities we serve. The Board's focus is clear: to give Rohan and the management team the strongest possible support to execute and to hold the Company to delivering on that potential. The Board is united on building a stronger, higher-performing group and on driving returns for all shareholders.”

With Stokes a nominee of SGH, Southern Cross said the creation of the Lead Independent Director role was designed to provide independent oversight of the company’s governance framework.

O’Connor said the independent directors backed Stokes’ appointment.

“Ryan brings executive and media experience and a strong record of delivery, and the independent Directors back his appointment. The independent Directors have put arrangements in place to preserve the Board’s independence, including an elected Lead Independent Director, majority-independent Board and Committees, and independent chairs of the Committees. We are satisfied the Board has the independence it needs for the phase ahead.”

New role for Teresa Dyson

Dyson will remain a Non-Executive Director and chair the new Risk, Regulatory & Compliance Committee, which will oversee the enlarged group’s risk, regulatory and compliance profile.

She will also lead the board’s engagement with major commercial partners, including advertisers, agencies and sporting codes.

“I have been pleased to guide the Company through this period of transition, and I look forward to continuing to make a significant contribution on the Board, including chairing the new Risk, Regulatory & Compliance Committee,” Dyson said.

The existing Audit & Risk Committee will become the Audit Committee and continue to be chaired by Independent Non-Executive Director Sylvia Wiggins.

Marina Go will continue to chair the People & Remuneration Committee, while the board and its standing committees will each retain a majority of independent directors.

Board search continues

Southern Cross is continuing its search for additional Independent Non-Executive Directors, which was announced in May.

The company said it would update shareholders on the search in due course.

Stokes’ director fees will remain unchanged following his appointment as chair, including committee memberships and attendances.

The leadership change comes as Southern Cross Media Group continues to integrate its enlarged portfolio, which includes the Seven Network, 7plus, 7NEWS.com.au, LiSTNR, the Hit and Triple M networks, The Nightly, The West Australian, The Sunday Times and PerthNow.