Seven West Media's (SWM) Bruce McWilliam will resign as Commercial Director after more than two decades driving the company's evolution, strategic direction, and commercial and business affairs.

SWM Chairman, Kerry Stokes AC, thanked McWilliam for his "significant contributions".

"Bruce has been an excellent executive of Seven for the past 21 years, having been involved in all of the major corporate initiatives we have undertaken during that period, and a director of Seven Group Holdings for many years," said Stokes.

CEO, James Warburton, who is due to wrap up with the media company in June, said: "Bruce is a doyen of the media industry and has been a fundamental part of all the corporate moves at Seven for more than two decades. Working with Bruce has always been very rewarding and entertaining, and he is always extremely generous with his time and advice. Everyone at Seven will miss his wise counsel, guidance, knowledge and sense of humour, and we all wish him the very best for what lies ahead."

McWilliam said he would be focusing on his corporate and media advisory and property interests moving forward.

"I’ve had a fantastic 21 years with Seven since I joined originally with David Leckie and Peter Gammell and of course the Chairman, Kerry Stokes, and I’ve been honoured to be part of the transformation, growth and success of the business over the years. Working with Kerry Stokes and James Warburton in his two iterations at Seven has never been dull. I’m very proud of my association with Seven and the Seven team, and I wish them every success in the years ahead. Moving forward, I’ll be focused on my corporate and media advisory and property interests," he said.

Before his tenure at SWM, McWilliam held positions as Director of BSkyB, Executive Director of News International Television, General Counsel of News International PLC, and was a partner in several law firms specialising in media and commercial law.