News Corp Australia has announced the appointment of Sir Rod Eddington AO (Featured image, middle) to the Board of the Herald and Weekly Times in Victoria.
The appointment follows Sir Eddington’s lengthy and distinguished association with the company, having served previously as a non-executive director of News Corporation and 21st Century Fox; and deputy chairman of News Limited.
He is one of Australia’s most influential businessmen, with an extensive career stretching across a wide variety of industries including finance, aviation, mining, transport, infrastructure and media.
His career began in transport and aviation and he went on to become CEO of Cathay Pacific, Ansett Airlines and British Airways.
Sir Eddington is chairman of J.P. Morgan’s Asia Pacific advisory council, non-executive chairman of Lion and serves as a member of the APEC business advisory council.
He also sits as a non-executive director on a number of boards and also served as the inaugural chair of infrastructure Australia.
Herald and Weekly Times chairman Penny Fowler (featured image, left with Sir Eddington and Pete Blunden) welcomed Sir Rod to the board, acknowledging his considerable corporate experience and recognising his valued relationship with News Corp over more than twenty years.
Fowler said: “I’m delighted to welcome Rod to the HWT Board.
“He is an executive of the highest calibre, with an intrinsic understanding of our business and our priorities and will provide valuable guidance and advice.
“During his career, he has dealt with significant change and challenging environments and he will bring that experience and expertise to our company.
“Rod has been a friend and mentor to me for many years and I look forward to working with him.”
Sir Eddington said: “It has been my privilege to work with News Corp for more than 20 years, and being appointed to the Board of HWT continues that privilege.
“I look forward to being back in the Australian media industry and working with the HWT Board on the future growth and direction of such a significant Victorian business.”
Sir Eddington joins fellow HWT Board members Michael Miller, executive chairman News Corp Australasia; Damian Eales, chief operating officer, publishing; Peter Blunden, Victorian managing director, editorial and Peter Zavecz, Victorian managing director, commercial.
The HWT board oversees the company’s publishing businesses in Victoria and Tasmania.
