Catherine West joins Nine’s board

The former Sky executive has been hailed as a boost for the group’s content exploitation.

Nine chairman Peter Costello said Catherine West’s experience will prove “invaluable”. Picture: The Australian/ Luis Enrique Ascui.

Nine Entertainment has appointed former Sky executive Catherine West as a non-executive director, replacing Apollo Global Management’s Steve Martinez.

Ms West was most recently legal director at Sky in the United Kingdom, responsible for the broadcaster’s content relationships, distribution and commercial activities.

She was born in the UK and educated in Australia.

“Catherine’s extensive experience in media, and more specifically content exploitation, will prove invaluable to NEC (Nine) at a time when the success of our non-traditional revenue streams is becoming increasingly important,” Nine chairman Peter Costello said.

“We are all looking forward to working with her.”

Ms West said: “It’s a pivotal time in the company’s future and I am confident my international media experience will add an extra dimension to an already accomplished board.”

Mr Martinez’s departure had been a formality since Apollo sold its final $140 million stake in Nine in November, as revealed by The Australian.

The appointment means half of Nine’s directors are females, with Holly Kramer, Elizabeth Gaines, Mr Costello, former chief executive David Gyngell and current chief executive Hugh Marks rounding out the board.