“The right time for me to leave”: Rebecca Costello MD at Guardian Australia to step down

Guardian Australia managing director Rebecca Costello will leave the organisation in September after three years leading its commercial and business operations.

Costello is stepping down on her own terms, bringing to an end a tenure focused on reshaping the business, developing new capabilities and strengthening relationships with audiences and commercial partners.

Costello calls time on three-year tenure

Costello told Mumbrella she believed the time was right to move on.

“The biggest mistake a leader can make is not knowing when to call it — now is the right time for me to leave the Guardian.”

She did not comment on her successor but said she was looking forward to the next stage of her career.

Costello joined Guardian Australia after more than 17 years as CEO of Schwartz Media, the publisher of The Saturday Paper and The Monthly. She has more than 25 years of experience in building and leading media businesses.

Guardian Australia reshapes commercial operations

During her tenure, Costello oversaw a strategic realignment of Guardian Australia’s commercial operations and the development of new capabilities.

The business appointed Shannon Hollis as head of advertising, Zoe Featherstone as head of product and Nicola Harvey as head of strategic initiatives.

Costello also championed changes to the publication’s audience strategy, including a compulsory registration rollout for its heaviest users.

Reflecting on her time at Guardian Australia, Costello said, “We have navigated a period of enormous change together, strengthening the business, sharpening our strategy, building new capability and deepening our relationships with audiences and partners.”

Leadership change follows new editor appointment

Costello’s departure comes shortly after David Munk was formally appointed editor of Guardian Australia in June.

Munk returned to Australia from the UK following the departure of long-time editor Lenore Taylor in February. He had previously served as deputy editor of the Australian operation.

“Guardian Australia is stronger, clearer about where it’s going and well positioned for what comes next, with a new Editor in place and an extraordinarily talented group of people to take it forward,” Costello wrote on LinkedIn.

Guardian Media Group praises Costello

Guardian Media Group CEO Anna Bateson thanked Costello for her contribution during a period of significant disruption across the media industry.

“Rebecca has been an excellent managing director of Guardian Australia, working closely with our editors, and leading our commercial teams to succeed through a period of major industry change and digital disruption. She leaves a Guardian Australia business and team that is stronger and well-equipped to meet future opportunities. I have greatly valued her partnership, and wish her well in her future career.”

Costello said she remained proud of the organisation and its role in independent journalism.

“I will leave proud of what we’ve achieved and of the organisation I leave behind. Guardian Australia is stronger, clearer about where it’s going and supported by an extraordinarily talented group of people,” she said.

“I’ve spent much of my career in journalism because I believe deeply in its value. Quality, independent journalism plays an essential role in a healthy democracy, and it has been a privilege to lead the Australian business of an organisation built around that purpose.”

“Some roles are about building something from the ground up. Others are about recognising what an organisation needs at a particular moment and helping move it forward. My time at Guardian Australia has very much been the latter,” she noted on LinkedIn.

“There is always more that can be done. There always should be. But there also comes a point when you recognise that an organisation is ready for what comes next, and so are you. For me, that time is now,” her post reads.

She also thanked colleagues across the organisation.

“None of what we’ve achieved happens without people. I am enormously grateful to everyone across Guardian Australia who has worked alongside me. I’ve learned from them, been challenged by them and remain incredibly proud of what we accomplished together.”

Her role had been about understanding what the organisation needed at a particular point and helping prepare it for the future.