Nine Entertainment’s CFO Maria Phillips departs Nine just weeks before the company’s annual results

The chief financial officer at Nine Entertainment is departing the media company just weeks before its upcoming annual financial year results.

Nine Entertainment’s chief financial officer Maria Phillips is leaving just weeks before the media company delivers its 2022-23 financial results.

Ms Phillips joined the company in 2020 and began her tenure under former chief executive Hugh Marks, but after three years at Nine she will depart before the company’s results are delivered on August 24, with her last day this Friday.

The former Velocity Frequent Flyer chief financial officer will be replaced by Nine’s chief strategy officer and managing director of Olympics and Paralympics, Matt Stanton, who under a restructure will take up the new role as chief financial and strategy officer.

His appointment means the company’s management team, led by CEO Mike Sneesby, will consist of eight men and four women.

Mr Sneesby said in a statement on Wednesday morning that Ms Phillips “has been a valued member of the Nine executive team” and led the company’s finance modernisation project.

“We wish Maria well with the next chapter of her career,” he said.

“We are fortunate to have someone of Matt’s calibre leading Nine’s finance and strategy function.

“Bringing these functions together will enhance Nine’s capacity in dealings with our commercial partners and driving efficiency across the business.”

Mr Sneesby also sent out an email on Wednesday morning notifying all Nine staff of the executive changes at the company.

When Ms Phillips joined the Nine in 2020 she said at the time: “I am excited about joining Nine at this time.

“I have been so impressed by what the company has achieved, as it transforms to the digital age, and look forward to contributing to that continuing evolution.

“I feel a real affinity to the media sector, and in Australia, Nine is the standout – well positioned to continue to grow and redefine its business and I am looking forward to being part of that.”

Mr Stanton joined Nine in September last year and was involved in negotiating Nine’s Olympic Games and Paralympic Games rights agreements.

Nine also announced this week the appointment of Mandy Pattison, an executive consultant, as a non-executive director on its board.