Southern Cross Media CEO Jeff Howard departs effective immediately

Southern Cross Media Group has announced an immediate leadership shake-up, with chief executive officer Jeff Howard stepping down as managing director and CEO as the company accelerates strategy execution following its recent merger.

Howard departs just one day before he was due to present the company’s half-year financial performance.

Chairman Heith Mackay-Cruise will move into the role of interim executive chairman, with all business unit leaders and corporate services now reporting directly to him. The board has appointed an executive search firm to conduct a global search for SCA’s next CEO.

Scott Butterworth has been appointed chief financial officer effective today, succeeding Craig Haskins, who will retire on 27 February following a short transition period.

John Kelly will assume the role of interim CEO – TV and audio, with responsibility for driving integration of the combined assets, while Toby Potter has been named chief transformation officer – TV and audio.

Mackay-Cruise said the newly constituted board determined it was the appropriate time to appoint new leadership to execute on the group’s plans.

“On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Jeff for his efforts across the period of transition, with the successful implementation of the Scheme of Arrangement and creation of a market-leading, multi-platform media company now complete,” he said.

Butterworth most recently served as acting CEO and CFO of PEXA and has held senior finance roles at Westpac, National Australia Bank and Slater and Gordon.

He joins SCA as the company moves into its post-merger integration phase, with Potter tasked with overseeing transformation across TV and audio operations.