Bateson previously worked for GMG in a number of senior executive roles from 2016–2020
She joined the Guardian as VP for platforms and partnerships, and was then chief customer officer from 2017 to 2020, a period during which the Guardian’s digital reader revenues grew rapidly as part of the wider supporter strategy.
As well as digital reader revenues, as CCO, Anna was also responsible for print reader revenues, digital platform partnerships and licensing, the Guardian’s brand and marketing strategy and Guardian Live and other businesses.
Prior to joining the Guardian in 2016, Anna held senior roles at ITV and YouTube, in London and California. Since leaving GMG in 2020 she has been chief executive of leading e-commerce beauty brand Josh Wood Colour.
GMG board chair Charles Gurassa said: “The board is delighted that Anna has been appointed as chief executive of Guardian Media Group. Her deep understanding and experience of the Guardian and of digital media and marketing, combined with her significant leadership experience mean she is very well placed to lead the Guardian into the future, working in partnership with our editor-in-chief Katharine Viner and with the wider executive team.
“Since joining the GMG board earlier this year I continue to be impressed by the consistent high quality, impactful journalism we deliver on a daily basis and the innovation, energy and creativity of our commercial and operations colleagues.
“The global media sector remains intensely competitive. We are well placed to succeed against that competition given the quality and relevance of what we deliver and our competence and capability in delivering to global audiences.
“I have every confidence that with Anna and Kath at the helm we can look forward with some optimism to the prospects ahead.”
Anna Bateson said: “I am delighted to be returning to the Guardian, an organisation whose purpose and strategy I believe in so strongly and whose continued success I care so passionately about.
“I am looking forward to working with the Guardian’s incredibly talented editorial and commercial teams to build on the achievements of recent years, and to continue to grow one of the world’s leading news organisations. I can’t wait to get started.”
Anna Bateson will take up her Guardian role in September 2022. Interim chief executive Keith Underwood returns to his role as chief financial and operating officer.
Gurassa added: “The board and I would like to thank Keith Underwood for the role he has undertaken as interim chief executive over the past year.
“Keith has skilfully led GMG, developing and delivering a number of key strategic initiatives and high value commercial partnerships, and achieving our strongest financial performance for many years.”
