Virgin Australia Supercars CEO James Warburton has announced his decision to depart the championship at the end of the 2017 season. Warburton confirmed his impending exit to the company’s stakeholders on Monday 16th October, some four years and five months after taking on the role.
In an open letter, Warburton described the opportunity to lead Supercars as ‘an honour and a privilege’, acknowledging the passion and commitment displayed by those within the industry. A former executive at the Seven and Ten television networks, Warburton’s tenure at Supercars included a landmark, six-year media rights deal with Ten and Fox Sports that began in 2015.
The deal was part of efforts to restore financial strength to the teams, which have collectively owned 35% of the business since Archer Capital’s majority buy-in midway through 2011.
Warburton, whose reign has also featured a string of sponsorship and government deals, including securing a new season-finale in Newcastle from 2017, says he’s pleased to be leaving the business in robust financial health.
His next appointment, and Supercars’ plans to search for a replacement, are yet to be confirmed.
