LONG-STANDING Western Australian media entrepreneur Harry Kleyn (pictured) is set to end his day-to-day role in the industry later this year when he will retire as CEO of WA Business News.
LONG-STANDING Western Australian media entrepreneur Harry Kleyn (pictured) is set to end his day-to-day role in the industry later this year when he will retire as CEO of WA Business News.
Announcing his decision to staff and clients, Mr Kleyn said his retirement date was to be finalised after an international search to replace him as head of the publisher and events management business.
He said he would continue to play a role at WA Business News as a director and shareholder.
WA Business News chairman Elton Swarts is currently seeking an executive search agency to award the recruitment brief.
Mr Kleyn was executive chairman and publisher of the newspaper, websites and WA Business News ‘Book of Lists’ for most of the past decade. He became CEO in July 2008 when Mr Swarts ended his executive role in the business to become non-executive chairman.
“Having been intimately involved with WA Business News in an executive capacity over the past 16 years, I have decided to step down as CEO of the business to allow the next generation of leadership to continue its growth and success,” Mr Kleyn said.
“My involvement in WA Business News, from conception to the current time has been an incredible journey and one which I have very much enjoyed and will continue to enjoy in my ongoing role.
“It has been terrific being able to develop a publisher and events management business that is focused on providing the necessary news and focus that is committed to helping business grow in WA and being part of this exciting state.
“With the building blocks of the business now well in place, I believe a new CEO will inject new energy into the business and continue to provide the services the business community of WA demands.”
Mr Kleyn became involved in WA Business News 16 years ago, having earlier listed suburban publisher Community Newspapers where he was inaugural managing director in the 1980s.
In its formative years, WA Business News was a free fortnightly newspaper owned in joint venture between Mr Kleyn and a local printing press.
From 2000, new investors, represented by Mr Swarts, bought out the printers and WA Business News became a weekly publication with a subscriber-based strategy.
In the past 10 years the business has grown to become an important source of local business news boasting a solid newspaper subscription base, recognition as a major source of online daily news, and acknowledgement as events and awards program leader.
