How the Guardian Media Group Secured Google’s European President for Its Board

In 2024, a crucial appointment was required on the Board of the Guardian Media Group plc (GMG). The role was Senior Independent Director replacing the publishing titan Gail Rebuck who had been on the Board since 2016.

• Green Park won a competitive tender for the Board search
• Consultants led a cross-industry search on an international scale
• A diverse list of candidates was presented
• The Guardian Media Group (GMG) chose an outstanding leader from Google

The Challenge

The new SID would have to take on the role at a critical time, with GMG growing its international subscriber base for its digital model and selling off The Observer newspaper to Tortoise Media. Green Park has successfully appointed previous INEDs & Committee Chairs and ExCo roles for GMG.

The challenge was to find an experienced NED who could also support the group’s pathway through the disruption happening in the media industry driven by AI and technological innovation.

The Process

Our team then explored a number of sectors with subscriber models in a similarly disrupted industry  in addition to a global search of major media corporates. With the Guardian’s growing profile in the US, Asia & Australia an international target list created in collaboration with the Board.

Results

By mapping diversity at every stage, Green Park was able to provide diverse and highly capable candidates. Leaders were approached on both coasts of the US, in Continental Europe and in Australia as part of a really strong longlist.

Charles Gurassa, Chair of Guardian Media Group, provided the following feedback:

"We recently partnered with Green Park in a global search for a Senior Independent Director at GMG. They were selected after a rigorous and competitive procurement process as the company best suited to deliver our specific requirements. The experience of working with them on this project was highly satisfactory from start to finish.

They approached the brief thoughtfully, delivering an impressive long list of relevant and highly experienced candidates. In discussion, we drew up a short list of outstanding candidates including individuals from the USA and Continental Europe.

All the candidates shortlisted brought global, contemporary, commercial, media, and digital know-how together with senior-level Board experience appropriate to support the evolution of the Guardian and the governance requirements of the role.

Thanks to their efforts, we successfully appointed Matt Brittin (former President of Google EMEA), as our Senior Independent Director. His expertise will be a welcome addition to the Board and management as we build out our strategy as a global, digital news media organisation.  

Green Park delivered an excellent search and outcome to the brief submitted."