Chris Wharton retires from Seven West Media

The Chairman of Seven West Media, Kerry Stokes AC, has announced the retirement of Chris Wharton AM (pictured) as chief executive officer of Seven West Media WA.

Stokes acknowledged Wharton’s twenty-plus years of continuous contribution to the group, starting in 1995 with Community Newspapers before going on to Channel Seven Perth in 2000 as managing director, then to become managing director of West Australian Newspapers in 2008 and CEO of Seven West Media WA in 2011.

Late last year he took the opportunity to take some extended leave. Following a discussion with the Chairman, they agreed that it was an appropriate time for him to retire.

Wharton will remain a Telethon Trustee and remains committed to the Perth community for which he was recognised with an AM in 2016.

“After more than twenty years, it is with mixed emotions that I have made the decision to retire from Seven West Media,” said Wharton. “The company has been very good to me and my family. I’ve had the opportunity to work with many wonderful people and I’ll miss them. I am delighted to have the privilege to remain a Telethon Trustee.”

Wharton has been a very popular figure in the WA advertising industry, and was named Campaign Brief’s Ad Person of the Year for 2008 in recognition of his appointment as managing director of WAN.

Stokes said Nick Varigos, Managing Director of recruitment firm Oppeus International, has commenced the search for a new CEO and will make recommendations in the coming weeks.