Seven West Media (SWM) may have found a replacement for its recently-departed corporate affairs boss Simon Francis.

Stephen Browning, who was previously News Corp’s corporate affairs chief, is now working as a communications consultant at SWM, according to The Australian.

It’s understood that SWM chief executive Tim Worner will work closely with Browning in the coming months.

Browning kicked off his career at News Corp in 2006 as its manager of corporate communications, and moved his way up the ranks during his 10-year tenure to become head of corporate affairs.

Browning has been working as a communications consultant at Commonwealth Bank for the past 10 months.