Australian to head INL

Friday 27th September 2002

The man who runs a string of South Australian papers has been chosen as the new head of New Zealand's biggest print company, Independent Newspapers (INL).

Peter Wylie, a 60-year-old managing director of Advertiser Newspapers in South Australia, will replace Tom Mockridge as chief executive of INL.

His appointment comes after two months' speculation following Mr Mockridge's sudden Rupert Murdoch-ordered departure to head Italian pay television company, Steam.

One of the contenders for Mr Mockridge's job publishing managing director Rick Neville has been rewarded for his years of loyalty by being banished to Adelaide to take up Mr Wylie's post.

The executive cleanout at INL has sent a frisson of fear through INL papers, as Mr Wylie's appointment is seen as the harbinger of changes at the media company which owns more than 80 newspapers, magazines and specialist publications.

INL also holds a 66.25% share in pay television network Sky.

Besides Advertiser Newspapers, Mr Wylie was former general manager of Sydney's Mirror Australian Telegraph Publications, publisher of the middlebrow tabloid, Daily Telegraph.

Announcing the appointment, INL chairman Ken Cowley said "INL prides itself on innovation and leadership [and] Peter ... has demonstrated both those attributes."

Mr Wylie said his new role was the highlight of his career and it was "an honour to be appointed to lead a dynamic and respected media company."

Mr Neville said he was looking forward to making Adelaide, the spiritual home of the Murdoch media empire, his new home but would miss living in New Zealand.

"I relish the challenge of this new role and feel honoured to have been offered it," Mr Neville said. "My family and I are looking forward to making Adelaide our home and getting to know all aspects of South Australian life."

The 53-year-old has been a director of INL since 1996 and is also a director of Sky Television.

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