Guardian Media Group appoints Nick Backhouse as non-executive director

Guardian Media Group plc (“GMG”) today announces the appointment of Nick Backhouse to the Board as a non-executive director.

Nick, 43, is the Chief Financial Officer of NCP Services, the UK’s leading traffic management business.

He has previously been Group Finance Director of National Car Parks, which was recently sold to Macquarie, Chief Financial Officer of The Laurel Pub Company, and before that CFO of Freeserve, the internet service provider. Nick has helped steer all of these businesses through periods of great change and played a key role in Freeserve’s successful flotation and entry into the FTSE 100.

He began his career with Coopers & Lybrand before joining Barings Brothers in London and New York. He became a Managing Director at Barings, where he was responsible for Private Equity coverage.

Commenting on the appointment, Paul Myners, Chairman of Guardian Media Group, said: “Nick is a very experienced and well respected executive. He will bring a great blend of financial, management and entrepreneurial skills to the Board of Guardian Media Group.”

Nick Backhouse said: “I am delighted to be joining such a successful and respected Group at this key moment in its development.”

(ENDS)

Further information: Chris Wade 020 7713 4041 / 07740 595 563

Notes for editors:

Guardian Media Group plc (‘GMG’) is one of the UK’s leading media companies. Its diverse portfolio includes national media – The Guardian and Observer newspapers and the Guardian Unlimited network of websites; regional media – the Manchester Evening News, a number of other regional newspapers in the North West and South of England, the Channel M city TV station and the Manchester Online website; 13 radio stations under the Real Radio, Smooth Radio, Century FM and Rock brands; and Trader Media Group, one of Europe’s largest specialist print and online media companies, and publisher of the Auto Trader magazine and website. Trader Media Group is jointly owned by GMG and Apax Partners, with GMG as the majority shareholder.

GMG is wholly owned by the Scott Trust, which was created in 1936 to secure the financial and editorial independence of The Guardian in perpetuity.