Blackley is currently the CEO of national restaurant group, The Keystone Group, and founder and CEO of media consultancy Four Seasons Media. He will relinquish all management responsibilities when he commences at SCA.

SCA’s executive chairman, Peter Bush, said the Company’s Board is delighted Blackley has accepted the appointment.

“I have had the opportunity to observe Grant in his various media industry roles over some time and I have a great deal of respect for his expertise and achievements in media sales, strategy and executive team development in particular,” Bush said.

“My Board colleagues have also been very impressed through our discussions with Grant over recent weeks.

“With Rhys Holleran stepping down recently and due to leave Southern Cross Austereo after 18 years in various leadership roles, it was very important to us that we recruit an executive with extensive media industry experience and proven capacity in team development and talent management.

“Reinvigorating Southern Cross Austereo’s sales strategy, programming and talent management is a key requirement of the Board and we are confident that Grant is the right person to lead that process from here.

“In addition, with the potential opportunities and challenges that could flow from mooted media ownership rule changes in future, Grant’s extensive media industry knowledge and network will be a distinct advantage,” Mr Bush said.

Blackley said the opportunity to lead Southern Cross Austereo was too good an opportunity to refuse.