News Australia names Leigh Lavery to lead The Growth Distillery’s next phase

News Australia has appointed Leigh Lavery as general manager of The Growth Distillery, promoting him to lead the company’s research and intelligence business as it expands its capabilities and industry focus.

Lavery steps in to succeed founding director Dan Krigstein, who will depart at the end of the year to take up a new role after overseeing The Growth Distillery’s launch and positioning since 2023.

Lavery steps into the role after five years with News Australia, most recently heading The Growth Distillery’s client and commercial team. He brings more than two decades of experience across media, entertainment and sport, having worked in key roles with the NRL and Telstra. 

“Leigh has been instrumental in establishing The Growth Distillery as a trusted partner for brands and publishers seeking evidence-based growth strategies,” Lou Barrett, managing director of client partnerships at News Australia, said. “His deep understanding of the media landscape, commercial acumen and passion for innovation make him the ideal person to lead the business into its next phase.”

Lavery said he is focused on extending the think tank’s impact across the wider industry. “Our mission has always been to challenge conventional thinking and help businesses unlock sustainable growth through deep customer insights,” he said. “I’m looking forward to leading our talented team to expand our research capabilities and deliver even greater value to our partners.”