Nine's director of news and current affairs John Westacott is retiring after 25 years at the television network.

Nine chief executive officer David Gyngell said he had reluctantly accepted Mr Westacott's decision to retire, effective from June 30, and would be pressing him to return as a consultant.

"He boasts an impressive record across his highly successful and long-term stewardship of our flagship, 60 Minutes, together with pioneering terms at the helm of both TODAY and A Current Affair and most recently in his role rebuilding our news and current affairs brands," Mr Gyngell said.

"He's done the hard yards and he's now entitled to a life - but he's part of the Nine family so it's a partial respite only.

"I plan to call on his experience and wisdom in an ongoing consultancy role once he's had a real break."

Mr Westacott came to public attention last year during a case brought against Nine by dumped reporter Christine Spiteri.

During the case, Spiteri claimed Mr Westacott told female journalists: "To make it in this industry, you gotta have f***ability. To make it in this game women have to be f***able".

She also alleged he told her: "You should work for SBS, you certainly have the name for it".

The parties reached a private six-figure settlement.

AAP