Private Media promotes Will Hayward to CEO, after four year vacancy

Private Media – which publishes Crikey, Smart Company, and The Mandarin – has promoted Will Hayward to CEO, effective today.

The publisher hasn’t had a chief executive since 2015, when Jason Kibsgaard departed and chair Eric Beecher decided against replacing him in favour of a “flatter … leaner, and more agile” structure. Hayward told Mumbrella the change of heart is less about the position itself and more a response to 12 months of growth.

“I think about it less in terms of appointing a new CEO, and more in terms of Eric [Beecher] and the board recognising the huge success we’ve had over the last year,” he said.