There has already been significant change at Seven since former editor-in-chief of The West Australian Anthony De Ceglie took over the company’s news and current affairs division in April.

De Ceglie has since appointed new news directors in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide.

On Thursday, Sunrise boss Sean Power was appointed news director in Sydney. His supervising producer, Jake Lyle, was made executive producer of Sunrise, and Holly Fallon executive producer of Weekend Sunrise.

Seven’s finance editor, Gemma Acton, was made director of news operations, reporting to De Ceglie the week before, while Adelaide news director Chris Salter was shifted into the Melbourne role. His deputy, Mark Mooney, was elevated to director of news in the South Australian capital.

De Ceglie has signalled a shift in culture in the company’s news and current affairs division. He replaced Craig McPherson two months ago, since informing staff there would be a “zero tolerance” approach to bad behaviour in the newsroom after a number of senior male employees, including McPherson, departed Seven amid the Bruce Lehrmann Spotlight scandal.

Spotlight’s efforts to secure an interview with Lehrmann were heavily scrutinised after the Federal Court was told company expenses had been spent on sex workers and drugs, alongside lavish meals, golf trips and a year’s worth of accommodation.

Lehrmann was later found to a civil standard by Justice Michael Lee to have raped Brittany Higgins. He is appealing against the decision.

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