The winners and losers from a News Corp regime change
The moment the statement went online, there were those within the News Corp empire whose professional stars rose and those whose stars fell. At least on paper, Rupert Murdoch will step back from daily management of News Corporation to become chairman emeritus, to be replaced by Lachlan Murdoch.
The machinations of those rises and falls, and the dynamics driving it, quite literally inspired the hit HBO series Succession.
As Lachlan takes over as sole chairman of News, there’s a global cast of actors on the stage. While it’s unclear what might happen, here’s some of those who stand to gain – and those who could lose.
The key players around a News Corp leadership change.
Siobhan McKenna: Lachlan’s long-time lieutenant, McKenna is a powerful figure in the Australian business community, and currently chairs Australia Post and the Foxtel Group. She also manages Lachlan’s personal vehicle, Illyria. A former McKinsey & Company partner, she was in Los Angeles near Rupert and Lachlan when the news broke and will surely move up in the ranks with this change.
Rebekah Brooks: The head of News’ UK division and said by everyone to be close to Lachlan – as she has been to his father. Brooks will stay in her role for the time being, but is one to watch. She was once said to be an option to run the combined News-Fox Corp entity.
Damian Eales: An Australian former publishing executive who has just taken the reins as boss of Move, News’ US-based real estate business. He moved to New York in July 2020 for a digital transformation role, and is well-regarded by the Murdochs.
Owen Wilson: Wilson leads REA Group, Lachlan’s biggest personal success story. He invested US$2.5 million in cash in the business in 2014 to buy a controlling stake,
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