Resignation of AAP CEO

Sydney, Australia – Wednesday, 28 May 2025 - Lisa Davies has announced her decision to resign as CEO of AAP after three years at the helm of Australia’s national newswire.

Chair of AAP Gail Hambly said under Lisa’s leadership, significant progress has been made toward ensuring the company’s sustainability and growth. In particular, Lisa and her team secured $11 million per year in Federal Government funding for the next three years – a testament to the government’s recognition of AAP’s crucial role in providing independent, fact-based news.

"The Board is very confident of AAP’s future and its important contribution to Australia’s democracy," she said.

Lisa said leading AAP had been rewarding, challenging and an honour.

“I’m proud that together we’ve created a stable platform from which the newswire can write its next chapter. I will always be a strong supporter and advocate for AAP and its vital role in Australia’s democratic media landscape.”

AAP’s General Counsel, Emma Cowdroy, will step in as Interim CEO from 6 June 2025 until a permanent replacement is found. Emma was Chief Executive of AAP from August 2020 to February 2022, following many years of senior executive experience at the newswire.

Accepting the role of Interim CEO, Emma said, “It’s a privilege to be asked to step into the CEO role again on an interim basis and I look forward to carrying forward Lisa’s great initiatives and working to achieve further success and sustainability for AAP.”