Dan Stinton resigns from Guardian Australia
Managing director of Guardian Australia, Dan Stinton, has resigned.
It is understood Stinton resigned after accepting a role as CEO of a tech company, based in Australia.
Dan Stinton to leave Guardian Australia
The Guardian’s group chief executive, UK-based Anna Bateson, announced the move in a staff email on Wednesday after Stinton had accepted an offer, taking him away from the company after five years in the role.
Highly regarded in the media industry, Stinton joined Guardian Australia in 2018 from Seven West Media, where he was head of digital in Western Australia.
Mumbrella understands The Guardian is starting the process of replacing Stinton, with the aim of finding a long-term successor.
Joining in 2018, Stinton replaced Ian McClelland, who then returned to the UK to take on a role as Guardian Media Group’s director of corporate development.
Under Stinton, Guardian Australia negotiated licencing deals with both Google and Facebook under the News Media Bargaining Code, which has helped the publication broaden its reporting scope.
In an email seen by Mumbrella, Stinton told staff he had taken an opportunity to “run a tech company outside of the media industry”.
“This has been one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make, not least because I believe so strongly in the importance of our journalism, particularly in Australia where the need for it is so great.”
“I joined Guardian Australia just after we broke even in 2018, working with you all to grow the company from a promising startup to the substantial masthead we are today. In that time we more than doubled the size of our team, revenue and audience, and it has been my privilege to work alongside Lenore as we strived to become the most influential progressive publisher in Australia. I believe we have made a very successful partnership – my thanks to Lenore and all of you for helping to make my last five years so rewarding.”
“I will stay on in the medium term to assist in appointing my successor, while ensuring that our business continues to grow and remain strong. I hope to have the opportunity to say goodbye to you all during that time, and look forward to celebrating our 10th birthday with everyone in a few weeks.
“We will schedule a meeting for the commercial team later today, and I will be attending news conference tomorrow morning to speak with editorial colleagues and answer any questions you may have.”
More to come…
