Sinead Boucher is stepping down as Stuff CEO to become executive chair of her own company as part of a wide-sweeping change in leadership at the publishing firm.
Former NZME executive Laura Maxwell will take the reins as CEO, while two other former NZME leaders take up two of threenew managing director roles.
Laura Maxwell is the new Stuff CEO. Photo / NZME
The moves were announced at an all-staff Stuff meeting at 2.30pm today.
As well as Boucher and Maxwell’s moves, three new managing director roles were announced: Former NZME Head of Planning Nadia Tolich is the new managing director of Stuff Digital; Joanna Norris is the new managing director of Stuff Masthead Publishing; and former NZME commercial director Matt Headland is the managing director of Stuff Brand Connections.
Maxwell says she is looking forward to building on Stuff’s 160-year legacy through quality journalism.
“I’m passionate about the role of media in upholding democracy and presenting a range of perspectives to help New Zealand continue to be a nation of independent thinkers. I thrive at building and leading high-performing teams and businesses and am honoured to take over the mantle from Sinead to continue to build a sustainable company for the future,” says Maxwell.
In a statement, Boucher said she was looking forward to focusing on the strategic future of the business, its products and journalism as it shifts to prepare for the next big disruptive force of the digital era - the advent of new generative AI technologies.
It is three years to the day since Boucher acquired Stuff Limited, for $1, from its Australian owners Nine at the peak of the Covid pandemic.
“We’ve done a huge amount of valuable transformation over the past three years since buying the business, building our technology and capability to ensure we are fit to meet the challenges of the future in a time of profound disruption,” says Boucher.
“Now feels like the perfect time to hand over the daily leadership of the business to a fantastic new CEO, who will bring her own talents, experience and perspectives for the next chapter of the company.”
Maxwell is an experienced executive leader and digital CEO with significant experience in the media industry, having worked for NZME for many years as Chief Digital Officer and Chief Commercial Officer as well as Chief Executive of OneRoof, Driven and GrabOne.
“Laura has significant experience in building and scaling businesses, and has a proven track record of crafting and delivering strategies that result in accelerated revenue and profit growth in large-scale businesses,” says Boucher.
“As well as her huge professional experience and success, she is also someone I have a lot of admiration and respect for, whom I personally enjoy working with and who I know is committed to building success for Stuff and its people.”
Nadia Tolich is the new managing director of Stuff Digital. Photo / Ted Baghurst
Nadia Tolich, who will oversee stuff.co.nz, Neighbourly and the company’s audio division, said: “I’m looking forward to reaching New Zealanders at scale, serving up lively, bold and entertaining content.”
Joanna Norris, who will look after the metropolitan websites and newspapers, said: “Drawing on our 160-year history of journalism, we are reinvigorating and growing the portfolio of iconic journalism brands which are embedded in communities across New Zealand.”
Stuff's new leadership team, from left: Nadia Tolich, Laura Maxwell, Matt Headland, Sinead Boucher, and Jo Norris. Photo / Stuff
Headland will lead the commercial charge: “We’re aiming to create a more efficient and effective business model that will enhance commercial growth and audience engagement. With a clear focus on innovation, technology, and customer experience, we are confident that we can achieve our goals and build strong and sustainable business solutions for our customers.”
* Editor-at-Large Shayne Currie is one of New Zealand’s most experienced senior journalists and media leaders. He has held executive and senior editorial roles at NZME including Managing Editor, NZ Herald Editor and Herald on Sunday Editor and has a small shareholding in NZME.
