Nine today announced senior appointments within its TV News & Current Affairs division, including a National News Director role, a new Sydney News Director and a new US Bureau Chief.

Nine Director of TV News & Current Affairs Fiona Dear announced Hugh Nailon has been promoted into a newly created role of National TV News Director. Nailon, who will remain as Melbourne TV News Director, will provide dedicated oversight of Nine’s State TV News Directors and will report to Dear.

Highly experienced journalist Michael Best has been appointed TV News Director in Sydney. A 20-year veteran of the industry, Best will oversee the operations of Nine’s largest TV newsroom.  

It’s a return to Nine for Best who previously held reporting and leadership roles as Nine’s Europe Correspondent based in London and Senior Reporter in Brisbane, as well as News Director in Perth – a role he held for more than three years. Since leaving Nine in 2022, Best has gone on to senior communications and leadership roles at Tattarang and Minderoo, and Gladstone Ports Corporation. 

Kendall Bora has been appointed US Bureau Chief. Currently the Executive Producer of the Today Show, Bora will be relocating to Los Angeles to lead Nine’s US coverage at a crucial time in global affairs.

Fiona Dear said: “These three appointments underline the calibre of people we have leading our News & Current Affairs at Nine.

“Hugh is one of Australia’s most experienced news leaders, with widespread respect across the industry. He was the standout candidate for this national leadership role. Hugh has done a terrific job unofficially acting in this capacity since December, so I am excited to formalise this appointment.

“We’re excited to welcome Michael home to Nine and to 9News Sydney. Michael is a collaborative and supportive leader and a passionate newshound, which is a winning combination for this role. We’re particularly excited about his ability to hit the ground running at Nine, while bringing a new and fresh perspective to the Sydney newsroom.  

“Kendall has had a stellar run at Today Show as EP and has spearheaded a number of transformative projects, including the streamlining of the entire Today Show team. With the global focus on all things America, I’m excited about what she can achieve as head of Nine’s famed US bureau.”

Hugh Nailon said: “Working for 9News is an absolute privilege. I am looking forward to continuing in this new role, which allows me to support and inspire the talented teams in Nine’s newsrooms around the country and our foreign bureaus.”

Michael Best said: “I am proud and excited to be returning to 9News. I have always believed in the critical role great journalism plays in society. At a time when we have unlimited access to information, we need a trusted source that we can rely on to make informed decisions every day for our families, our businesses and our lives. Now, more than ever, Sydney needs the facts. That’s what 9News Sydney delivers every single day. I am looking forward to continuing the important legacy of 9News Sydney and building our connection with the people who are the heart of this great city.”

Kendall Bora said “For the best part of a decade, ‘Today’ has been my home. Leaving the sharpest and funniest breakfast show in Australia was a decision I agonised over, but the pull of a new challenge in America was too strong. I’ll be working with what I consider to be the best foreign bureau in the business and am excited to play a role in shaping the network’s foreign content in one of the most dynamic political periods for the US.”

For further information, please contact:
Terry Stuart
Senior Communications Manager
tstuart@nine.com.au

Tuesday, February 4, 2025