All,
You will have just received an email from Neil Berkett, confirming my decision to step down as chief executive at the end of June.
After over a decade spent at Guardian Media Group and Trader Media Group, I am keen to explore new opportunities outside the company and, for a number of reasons, this seems the right time to do so.
We have successfully executed the five-year transformation of GNM and prepared the company for the next phase of digital growth. The success of Guardian US and Australia, the significant contribution digital revenues now make to our bottom line, and the launch yesterday of our new website – we can be proud of our role as genuine pioneers in online media.
I have overseen the crucial and difficult process of restructuring our portfolio. That culminated in last year’s disposal of our stake in Trader Media Group, a company I was closely involved with for over a decade. That sale, along with the sale of other non-core assets, has helped secure the financial future of the Guardian.
Alan’s decision to step down means that, from the Summer, there will be a new editor-in-chief. I think it’s important for that new editor to have the chance to work with a new chief executive on writing the next chapter of the Guardian’s unique history.
Finally, GMG and GNM are now embarking on the next major transformation programme and the GMG Board understandably wants a chief executive who is able to see that process through over an extended period of time. Given my desire to move to new challenges, I was unable to give the GMG Board the assurances they were seeking in this regard.
These decisions are never easy and I will be sad to leave. However, I can do so in the knowledge that the Guardian is in excellent shape, with a very significant cash and investment fund, solid print revenues and world-class journalism.
Above all, GMG and GNM have the great advantage of an outstanding team of people right across the business. We have achieved a huge amount together over the last five years and I would like to thank everyone who has contributed so much to our success.
I hope I will have the opportunity to thank as many of you as possible personally in the months before I leave.
Andrew
