LONDON: Sir Robert Phillis, chief executive of Guardian Media Group, the company that owns The Guardian newspaper, is retiring later this year because of health problems.
He made an announcement Friday saying he has been diagnosed as having an early-stage bone marrow cancer last summer and by relinquishing his full-time job, he would want to concentrate on his non-executive responsibilities and pursue other interests.
"I am pleased to report that my treatment has progressed well," said Sir Robert, 60. It is reported that he will have to undergo a bone marrow transplant later in the year.
He proposes to step down in July, but will continue as a non-executive director at the company. He is chairman of independent production group All3Media, a director on the boards of ITV and the Lawn Tennis Association and president of the Royal Television Society.
Besides The Guardian, the company owns other newspapers, including The Observer and Trader Media, and a radio division. It is in turn wholly owned by the Scott Trust.
Prior to joining the Guardian Media Group in 1997, Sir Robert was with the BBC as deputy director general. He also had other responsibilities in BBC, including chairman and chief executive of BBC Worldwide and managing director of the BBC World Service. He has also been chief executive of ITN.
Guardian Media Group's chairman Paul Myners said his company is now stronger than at any time and the purpose of guaranteeing the financial independence of The Guardian has been secured under Sir Robert's leadership.
The company intends to look internally and externally for his successor. Internal candidates include Jerry Fowden, who heads Auto Trader, and Carolyn McCall, who runs the national newspaper division.
The Guardian, No 3 among British newspapers, suffered a 5 per cent fall in circulation in December. It had peaked in September at 404,187. Both The Guardian and The Observer are now being brought out in the new Berliner format.
Posted
on : Sun, 15 Jan 2006 20:30 GMT | General News
By : Paula Jenkins
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