Ten Network Holdings Limited (TEN) announced that the Board had given notice of termination to Mr James Warburton, who will no longer be performing the role of Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the Company, effective immediately.

TEN also announced that the Board has appointed Mr Hamish McLennan as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the Company. Russel Howcroft, Executive General Manager, Network Ten, will act as CEO until McLennan joins TEN on March 18, 2013.

Chairman, Lachlan Murdoch, said, “The Board would like to thank James Warburton for his hard work and contribution during what has been a difficult period for the Company and for the broader media sector. He steps down with TEN’s best wishes.”

McLennan is currently Executive Vice President, Office of the Chairman, News Corporation, and Chairman of REA Group Limited. Prior to joining News Corporation in 2011, Mr McLennan was Global Chairman and CEO of Young & Rubicam. He was the first non-American and youngest person to run Young & Rubicam since it was founded in 1925.

Warburton’s termination follows former Chief Programmer David Mott’s resignation in August last year amidst the network’s ratings struggle.