Seven West Media’s commercial director Bruce McWilliam quits

The media company’s commercial director, Bruce McWilliam, a key ally of the company’s billionaire chairman Kerry Stokes, has quit amid a management overhaul.

Seven West Media’s commercial director Bruce ­McWilliam – a key ally of the company’s billionaire chairman Kerry Stokes – has resigned after 21 years at the media group.

Mr McWilliam, who has been a colourful figure in legal, business and media circles for four decades, never wanted to be at the centre of stories, but found himself in such a position last year during the defamation trial involving former SAS soldier Ben Roberts-Smith.

Mr McWilliam was a key player in Seven’s court battle with Nine Entertainment over the Victoria Cross winner’s failed defamation action that ended up costing Seven an estimated $30 million.

The 68-year-old was renowned for bombarding people – particularly those he disagreed with – via email, and was among a cohort of lawyers and executives from Seven who sent more than 8600 emails during the soldier’s defamation trial.

Mr Roberts-Smith was Seven’s general manager in Queensland but resigned in June last year.

Bruce McWilliam at the 2023 AFL Grand Final Commission lunch. Picture: Wayne Taylor

Mr Stokes ultimately paid the full costs of the defamation case to prevent the release of the trove of emails.

Mr McWilliam’s departure comes at a time of upheaval for the company, with Seven chief executive James Warburton also set to leave the network in June.

“It’s a good time for the new guy (Warburton’s successor, Jeff Howard) to assemble his own team. I like (Jeff Howard), I'm a big supporter of his and I’m obviously available,” said Mr McWilliam, who said he’ll be doing “some consulting work” among other things after leaving.

“I’m not retiring,” he told The Australian.

“I don’t know exactly what I’ll be doing but I reckon I’ll be contacted by people.”

Mr McWilliam said Seven’s involvement in the failed defamation case brought by Mr Roberts-Smith – and bankrolled by Mr Stokes – was in no way related to his departure from the media group.

“We defended an employee and I think Stokes is to be congratulated on the support he showed a current employee in relation to stuff that occurred before he became an employee,” he said.

“But I was disappointed in the outcome in the case.”

Mr McWilliam said Mr Stokes didn’t ask him to reconsider when he told him he was leaving Seven.

“Kerry is pragmatic. Twenty-one years is a very long time to work for a tycoon, let me tell you,” he said.

The media company’s half-year results slumped last month – revenue fell to $775m, from $814m (down 4.8 per cent) in the six months to December, and net profit also fell by 52.6 per cent to $54m.

Group earnings before interest tax, depreciation and amortisation was $124m, from $205m (down 39.4 per cent).

On Thursday, Mr Stokes said in a statement: “Bruce has been an excellent executive of Seven for the past 21 years, having been involved in all of the major corporate initiatives we have undertaken during that period, and a director of Seven Group Holdings for many years.

“I thank Bruce for his significant contribution to Seven West Media and Seven Group Holdings and wish him and (wife) Nicky all the best in the future.”

Over the course of his career, Mr McWlliam worked for Kerry Packer in the 1980s and Rupert Murdoch in the 1990s before he began working for Mr Stokes.

Bruce McWilliam is departing Seven. Picture: Wayne Taylor/Getty images

One of his closest friends is former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull – the pair met at law school in the 1970s and then in 1985 they created law firm Turnbull McWilliam.

Mr McWilliam was also a director of BSkyB, executive director of News International Television and general counsel of News International PLC.

McWilliam’s career also involved being a partner for law firm Gilbert+Tobin and Allen Allen & Hemsley.

Mr McWilliam said in a statement on Thursday: “I’ve had a fantastic 21 years with Seven since I joined originally with David Leckie and Peter Gammell and of course the Chairman, Kerry Stokes, and I’ve been honoured to be part of the transformation, growth and success of the business over the years.

“Working with Kerry Stokes and James Warburton in his two iterations at Seven has never been dull.

“I’m very proud of my association with Seven and the Seven team, and I wish them every success in the years ahead.”

Mr McWilliam said in the future he will focus on corporate and media advisory and property interests.

His replacement is yet to be determined.