The head of Fairfax New Zealand has resigned and will leave the media company to work at ASB Bank two days after the Commerce Commission's decision on the merger with NZME is due.
Fairfax head Simon Tong will leave the company next week. Photo: RNZ / Fairfax
Managing director Simon Tong told the company's executive team today he was leaving to head up the technology, innovation and payments department at ASB.
He has served in the role at Fairfax since June 2013, after previously working at Paymark.
Fairfax New Zealand chief operating officer Andrew Boyle will step in as acting managing director.
In a message sent out to Fairfax staff today, Mr Tong said he had "come to the decision that it was time to seek out new challenges", and it was not a spur of the moment call.
He will leave Fairfax next Friday.
A decision from the Commerce Commission on Fairfax NZ's proposed merger with competitor NZME is expected on or before this coming Wednesday.