His blue Maserati Ghibli just a distant memory, former Fairfax Media chief Greg Hywood has now moved on from his latest role as chair of Free TV Australia.

Since his appointment in October 2020, he has led the board through a period of substantial change including securing major policy reforms, enhancements to the anti-siphoning scheme and a 12-month suspension of the tax on commercial broadcasters.

Chief executive Bridget Fair said the process of finding a replacement starts now: “The commercial television industry has benefited from his experience and perspective, and Free TV has achieved important advocacy outcomes during his time as chair.

“Greg has driven constructive engagement between Free TV broadcasters, helping to develop a unified position on key strategic issues.”

He was thanked by Beverly McGarvey, president of Network 10, head of streaming and regional lead for Paramount ANZ and a Free TV board member.

“His extensive media industry experience, including his leadership of Fairfax Media, brought valuable strategic insight during a period of significant change for the television sector.”

Hywood said the newly-elected government and appointment of a new communications minister made this a natural transition point and he was looking forward to focussing on other commitments. “The challenge for Government now is to rise above the noise and deliver fair, integrated media regulation that reflects changing viewing habits and the impact of international players on audience and revenue share,” he said.

Moving from a role at car maker GM Holden to start a career in newspapers as a reporter at the Australian Financial Review – of which he later became editor – Hywood left and then returned to Fairfax Media, famously presiding over its sale to Nine Entertainment in 2018.

The $140,000 Maserati was a private 2014 purchase from a time when cuts at Fairfax and reports of his multi-million dollar salary were both making news.