What Kochie told bosses before quitting

David Koch has announced he will leave Sunrise in two weeks, ending months of rumours and speculation about when he might step down.

Speaking on the program on Monday morning, Koch, a father-of-four, said he was keen to spend more time with his family and focus on his other business interests in the finance and media space.

But just seven months ago, he was locked in talks bosses at Seven.

Following an Instagram post to mark his 20th year on the Sunrise desk, which many took as a suggestion he was intending to leave, the 67-year-old signed a new deal with the network, which he told TheAustralian’s Media Diary was to last two years.

Koch said he spoke with both CEO James Warburton and Seven chairman Kerry Stokes before signing the deal, and that he had been given increased flexibility as part of the new deal.

“After 20 years, I’ve felt I needed more flexibility in my life with my wife Libby and my business interests,” Koch told the broadsheet.

“So when I mentioned leaving to Seven, James very kindly asked me whether we could work together on a plan that I wanted, which also kept my connection to the network and my focus on Sunrise.”

It’s unclear if Monday’s announcement was part of the deal, with Seven confirming in a statement after Koch’s resignation that the breakfast host would “remain a valued part of

the Sunrise family and the broader Seven Network”.

The statement was made among gushing tributes from both Stokes and Warburton, as well as co-host Natalie Barr, who described working with him as “one of the highlights of my life”.

Warburton said Koch’s efforts on keeping Sunrise at number one in the ratings was an “extraordinary achievement”, but confirmed Monday’s announcement signalled the end of his time as a host on Sunrise.

“All good things come to an end, and I admire and respect his decision to step away from Sunrise while he’s at the top of his game,” he said.

In his own statement, delivered on air, Koch said the move would allow him to focus on his family and business interests – but he didn’t rule out a return to the Sunrise couch.

“As everyone knows, I’m a finance nerd so you’ll still see me pop up every so often on RBA board meeting days or covering other big financial news, but as a guest rather than host,” he said.

Koch and his wife Libby own Pinstripe Media, a marketing company specialising in start-ups, business and finance.

He is also the executive chairman of AusBiz, a streaming channel for markets and business content.

Outside of finance, the father-of-four is also chairman of the Port Adelaide Football Club, and Patron of the Koch Centre For Youth in Macquarie Fields.