By Dominic Ponsford
Former Guardian Newspapers advertising director Carolyn McCall
has been made chief executive of Guardian Media Group – taking over
from Sir Robert Phillis who retires at the end of July.
McCall is currently chief executive of Guardian Newspapers Limited, the
company’s national newspapers division. She is also a non-executive
director of supermarket giant Tesco.
GMG chairman Paul Myners said: “Carolyn has a brilliant track record in
running our national newspapers, and has a very clear and compelling
vision for the future growth and strategy of the Group."
McCall said: "I am delighted to be taking on this role at such
an important period in GMG's history. With its powerful media brands
and strong financial position, GMG is well placed to take advantage of
all the digital and other opportunities that are being created by the
enormous changes in the media market."
McCall takes up her new role on 1 August. Sir Robert Phillis will
remain a member of the GMG Board as a non-executive director.
McCall has been chief executive of Guardian Newspapers since 2000. She
was advertisement director from 1995 to 1997, commercial director from
1997 to 2000. In that role, she also had responsibility for Guardian Newspapers' Internet
strategy, including the launch of Guardian Unlimited in 1999. She was deputy managing
director from 1998 to 2000.
As well as publishing the Guardian and Observer newspapers
Guardian Media Group includes: Guardian Unlimited, the Manchester
Evening News and various other regional newspapers in the North West,
Surrey and Berkshire, five radio stations under the Real Radio and
Smooth FM brands and Trader Media Group, publisher of Auto Trader
magazine.
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