The man behind the deal: who is Lisa Wilkinson's manager Nick Fordham? - 17th October 2017

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Nick Fordham is a well-connected negotiator. Photo: Steve Siewert

by Rachel Browne

There's nothing like a high profile star's contract renegotiation to put media watchers on alert and they don't come much higher than Lisa Wilkinson, who spectacularly left her post on Nine's Today show on Monday.

It's been described as a "shock" move but in truth it's been brewing for months as Wilkinson and her manager Nick Fordham tried to agree on terms for a new contract with the network.

Nick Fordham, the chief executive of the Fordham Company and part of a dynasty which includes his brother Ben and parents John and Veronica, is regarded as a well-connected negotiator.

He and Wilkinson were reportedly wanting to sign a contact worth $2 million a year, in line with Today co-host Karl Stefanovic's salary and a significant boost to her $1 million annual pay packet. Nine's management baulked, with the offer stalling at $1.8 million.

At the same time Fordham and Wilkinson were negotiating with Nine, the Ten Network was circling in the background. Despite the company's well-documented financial woes, it was willing to show Wilkinson the money, although the exact amount is the topic of speculation with some saying it was less than Nine had offered while others insist it is more and will make her the highest paid presenter on Australian television.

As contract negotiations with Nine dragged on, stories about Wilkinson's value to the Nine brand started to appear.

Only a few days ago, reports surfaced about how Nine had deployed a team to work on "project Lisa", with the goal of securing a Gold Logie for the 57-year-old who was to be offered her own show.

Even the lure of such an accolade couldn't persuade Wilkinson to stay in the role she'd held for ten years and with a stalemate on the cards, she signed with Ten which announced she would join The Project less than an hour after Nine's statement about Wilkinson's departure.

Wilkinson has been with the Fordham Company for 11 years, with Nick negotiating her original contract with Nine a decade ago.

He also represents Sylvia Jeffreys, Stefanovic's sister-in-law, fellow Today presenter and rumoured front runner to replace Wilkinson.

The Fordham Company's stable also includes Wilkinson's husband and Fairfax Media columnist Peter FitzSimons.

Fordham's brother and Stefanovic's good friend Ben Fordham is also among the group's talent roster.

The Fordham Company has long history on the Australian media landscape, founded by Nick's parents John and Veronica who have steered the careers of many high profile sports identities and broadcasters, including John Laws. John's brother, Bob Fordham, is a former rugby referee who went on to become chief executive of the Australian Rugby Union.

Nick Fordham, 38, worked at Nine for a few years when he was at high school but joined the family business in 1997, taking over as chief executive in 2014.

In a 2015 interview, he spoke of how the business had diversified, producing a documentary series for National Geographic, gaining the TV rights to rugby in NSW and running a health food company, Cranky Health, best known for the Man Shake.

Fairfax Media has contacted Nick Fordham for comment but he was locked away in meetings.

(The Sydney Morning Herald)