Guardian group chief executive announces summer retirement

The chief executive of Guardian Media Group is to retire this summer to undergo treatment for cancer.

Sir Robert Phillis will step down at the end of July and will
undergo a bone-marrow transplant later this year. He will remain a
member of the GMG board as a non-executive director, but will resign
from the Scott Trust on his retirement.

In a statement released
today, Sir Robert said: “As my colleagues are already aware, I was
diagnosed with an early stage bone marrow cancer last summer. Since
that time I am pleased to report that my treatment has progressed well.

“By
relinquishing my full time role as chief executive of the Group, I will
be able to concentrate on my non-executive responsibilities and create
the time and opportunity to pursue other interests.”

GMG chairman Paul Myners and the chair of the Scott Trust, Dame Liz Forgan, will lead the search for a replacement.

Myners said the board is “hugely appreciative” Sir Robert’s achievements in eight years at the helm of GMG.

Sir
Robert, 60, joined GMG in December 1997 from the BBC, where he was
deputy director general for five years. During that period he was also
chairman and chief executive of BBC Worldwide, managing director of BBC
World Service and Chairman of BBC Resources. He had previously been
chief executive of ITN, group managing director of Carlton
Communications and managing director of Central Independent Television.

He
is chairman of All3 Media Group, serves on the boards of ITV and the
Lawn Tennis Association, and is President of the Royal Television
Society.