Mark McGowan and Karen Stocks join Channel 7 owner Southern Cross Media board – Former Western Australian premier Mark McGowan and senior technology executive Karen Stocks will join the Southern Cross Media board as independent non-executive directors from 28 September 2026.
The appointments will expand the board to eight directors, six of whom will be independent non-executive directors. Both McGowan and Stocks are expected to stand for election by shareholders at the company’s annual general meeting in November.
The additions are significant for one of Australia’s largest media groups. Southern Cross Media’s portfolio spans Channel 7, 7plus, commercial radio, digital audio and major publishing brands, making government relations, audience measurement, privacy and advertising technology central to its next stage of growth.
Why Southern Cross Media chose McGowan and Stocks
Southern Cross Media said the appointments followed a board search aimed at adding specific capabilities. McGowan brings experience across government, regulation, infrastructure and Western Australia, where the company holds major television, radio and publishing interests.
Stocks brings more than 30 years of experience in technology, media and telecommunications. Her background includes senior roles covering digital video, advertising, data, global audience measurement and privacy, as well as governance experience at an ASX-listed company.
Southern Cross Media chair Ryan Stokes said the two appointments would strengthen the board as the company supports chief executive Rohan Lund and the wider management team.
“Mark and Karen each bring capability that strengthens this Board for the next phase of the Company. Mark has operated at the centre of government and regulation, and he understands Western Australia, where we hold some of our strongest positions.
“Karen has spent her career on how media audiences are measured and valued, which goes to the heart of the opportunity in front of us. With these appointments the Board is well placed to give Rohan and the management team the strongest possible support to execute, and to hold the Company to delivering on that potential for all shareholders.”
Mark McGowan joins the media company board
McGowan served as Premier of Western Australia from 2017 until 2023 and as the state’s Treasurer from 2021 to 2023. He entered the Western Australian Legislative Assembly as the member for Rockingham in 1996 and remained in the seat until leaving politics in 2023.
During his political career, McGowan also held portfolios including Education and Training, Tourism, Racing and Gaming, and Public Sector Management. Southern Cross Media highlighted his experience overseeing infrastructure investment and economic growth, as well as his familiarity with the resources, energy and infrastructure sectors.
Before entering state parliament, McGowan was a legal officer in the Royal Australian Navy and served as deputy mayor of Rockingham. He holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Queensland and sits on the advisory board of the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations.
McGowan said Southern Cross Media’s national reach and its position in Western Australia had attracted him to the role.
“Southern Cross Media reaches deep into Australian life, across the major cities and across regional Australia. In Western Australia its mastheads and stations are part of how the State talks to itself. I am looking forward to contributing to this Board.”
Karen Stocks brings Google, YouTube and Twitter experience
Stocks has worked across technology, media and telecommunications for more than three decades. She spent 12 years at Vodafone before joining Google in 2007, where she led the Australian commercial operation for YouTube.
In 2013, Stocks became the founding managing director of Twitter Australia. She returned to Google in 2017 and later served as vice-president of global measurement, audience and data, leading work across a period of major regulatory and privacy change.
Her current board experience includes serving as a non-executive director of Tabcorp. She is also an ambassador for Business Events Sydney and a member of the National Industry Innovation Network advisory council.
Stocks is a Fellow of CPA Australia, a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Chief Executive Women, and holds an MBA from Deakin University and a Bachelor of Financial Administration from the University of New England.
“I have spent my career at the intersection of media, data and technology, most recently leading Google’s global measurement work through a period of significant regulatory and privacy change.
“Southern Cross Media possesses extraordinary scale across television, audio, and publishing. As we roll out next-generation digital platforms, ad-tech, and data solutions for our customers and audiences, I look forward to working with the Board and management to unlock the full value of our combined ecosystem.”
Shareholders to vote in November
McGowan and Stocks will begin their board roles on 28 September. Their appointments are then due to be put to shareholders at Southern Cross Media’s annual general meeting in November 2026.
The company said the expanded board would comprise eight directors, with six classified as independent non-executive directors. The structure is intended to give management stronger oversight and support as Southern Cross Media develops its integrated television, audio, publishing, data and advertising businesses.
Southern Cross Media’s television and digital portfolio
Southern Cross Media owns the Seven Network and its 7two, 7mate, 7flix and 7Bravo multichannels, along with the 7plus streaming service and 7NEWS.com.au.
Its audio assets include LiSTNR and the Hit and Triple M radio networks. The company also owns publishing brands including The West Australian, The Sunday Times, PerthNow and The Nightly.
For more TV Central Channel 7 news, head here. Read the official Southern Cross Media announcement on the ASX website.