{{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}} {{short description|British multinational mass media company}} {{for|the American media company, Guardian Enterprise Group|.2 Network}} {{Infobox company | name = Guardian Media Group plc | logo = Guardian Media Group.png | type = [[Public limited company|Public]] | genre = | foundation = {{start date and age|1907}} (Manchester Guardian)<br>{{start date|1993}} (Guardian Media Group plc) | founder = [[C. P. Scott]] | location = [[London]], England, UK | area_served = | key_people = Anna Bateson (CEO)<br />[[Charles Gurassa]] (chair) | industry = [[Published media|Media]] | products = [[Newspapers]], [[websites]] | services = | revenue = {{Increase}} [[Pound Sterling|£]]264.4 million<ref name="GMGAnnualFinancialReport">[https://uploads.guim.co.uk/2023/07/25/GMG_financial_statements_2023.pdf"Annual Report and Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended 2 April 2023"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216202450/https://uploads.guim.co.uk/2023/07/25/GMG_financial_statements_2023.pdf |date=16 February 2024 }}, ''Guardian Media Group''</ref> | revenue_year = 2022-23 | operating_income = {{Decrease}} [[Pound Sterling|£]]-21.3 million<ref name="GMGAnnualFinancialReport"/> | income_year = 2022-23 | assets = | equity = | owner = [[Scott Trust Limited]] | num_employees = | divisions = Guardian News & Media<br>Top Right Group (formerly Emap)<br>GMG Property Services Group | subsid = | slogan = | homepage = {{url|https://www.theguardian.com/gmg}} | intl = }} '''Guardian Media Group plc''' ('''GMG''') is a British-based [[mass media]] company owning various media operations including ''[[The Guardian]]'', and formerly ''[[The Observer]]''. The group is wholly owned by the [[Scott Trust Limited]], which exists to secure the financial and editorial independence of ''The Guardian'' in perpetuity.
The Group's annual report (for the year ending 2 April 2023) indicated that the Scott Trust Endowment Fund was valued at £1.24 billion, while in 2021 it was valued at £1.14 billion.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |date=20 July 2022 |title=Guardian Media Group plc (GMG) publishes 2021/22 statutory financial results |url=https://www.theguardian.com/gnm-press-office/2022/jul/20/guardian-media-group-plc-gmg-publishes-202122-statutory-financial-results |access-date=3 January 2023 |website=The Guardian |language=en |archive-date=2 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102225555/https://www.theguardian.com/gnm-press-office/2022/jul/20/guardian-media-group-plc-gmg-publishes-202122-statutory-financial-results |url-status=live }}</ref>
==History== The company was founded as the Manchester Guardian Ltd. in 1907 when [[C.P. Scott]] bought ''The Manchester Guardian'' (founded in 1821)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gmgplc.co.uk/the-scott-trust/history/ |title=Guardian Media Group PLC |publisher=Gmgplc.co.uk |access-date=25 October 2013 |archive-date=30 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630020858/http://www.gmgplc.co.uk/the-scott-trust/history/ |url-status=live }}</ref> from the estate of his cousin Edward Taylor.
It became the Manchester Guardian and Evening News Ltd when it bought out the ''Manchester Evening News'' in 1924, later becoming the Guardian and Manchester Evening News Ltd to reflect the change in the morning paper's title. It adopted its current name in 1993.
In 1991, it had a 20% stake in a consortium which included [[London Weekend Television]] (LWT), [[Scottish Television]], [[The Walt Disney Company]] and [[Carlton Communications]] for a new ITV breakfast franchise called [[GMTV]].
''Guardian Monthly'' was a glossy magazine published by the Guardian Media Group for readers around the world.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressgazette.co.uk/guardian-to-launch-monthly-mag/|title=Guardian to launch monthly mag|date=5 September 2006|website=[[Press Gazette]]|language=en-US|access-date=27 September 2018|archive-date=28 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928044011/https://www.pressgazette.co.uk/guardian-to-launch-monthly-mag/|url-status=live}}</ref> Launched in November 2006,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/media-choice-guardian-monthly/607053|title=Media choice: Guardian Monthly|date=29 November 2006|work=[[Campaign (magazine)|Campaign]]|access-date=27 September 2018|archive-date=28 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928003424/https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/media-choice-guardian-monthly/607053|url-status=live}}</ref> it made selections from ''[[The Guardian]]'' and ''[[The Observer]]''{{'}}s magazine supplements available to an international audience of English-speakers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2006/oct/05/newguardianmonthlymagtobe|title=New Guardian Monthly mag to be launched|last=Armstrong|first=Murray|date=5 October 2006|website=[[The Guardian]]|language=en|access-date=27 September 2018|archive-date=28 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928044319/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2006/oct/05/newguardianmonthlymagtobe|url-status=live}}</ref> Issues contained interviews with cultural figures, features about world issues, and regular articles on travel, books, sport, health, fashion, food and photography. In July 2007, the Guardian Media Group announced the cancellation of the ''Guardian Monthly''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pressgazette.co.uk/guardian-monthly-ceases-publication/|title=Guardian Monthly ceases publication|date=30 July 2007|website=[[Press Gazette]]|access-date=27 September 2018|last1=Gazette|first1=Press|archive-date=28 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928043931/https://www.pressgazette.co.uk/guardian-monthly-ceases-publication/|url-status=live}}</ref> In a letter to subscribers, Will Ricketts, ''Guardian Monthly''<nowiki/>'s publisher, explained the reasons for the cancellation of the monthly magazine: {{Block quote|The company is taking a long-term strategic view of its activities and although ''Guardian Monthly'' has performed well in the busy and competitive international marketplace, we have decided that it is not the right time to continue with a global magazine offering.}}
In March 2007, GMG sold 49.9% of [[Auto Trader Group|Trader Media Group]] to [[Apax Partners]], in a deal that valued Trader Media Group at £1.35 billion. In December 2007, it was announced that GMG and Apax had made a successful bid to buy [[Ascential|Emap]]'s business-to-business arm for around £1 billion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/dec/21/emap.guardianmediagroup|title=Emap confirms B2B sale to GMG and Apax|author=Mark Sweney|work=the Guardian|date=21 December 2007|access-date=11 December 2016|archive-date=21 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160621011534/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/dec/21/emap.guardianmediagroup|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2018, GMG acquired ContentNext Media of technology blog [[paidContent]]; [[All Things Digital]] estimated the purchasing price to be up to $30 million pending certain performance goals.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US-Expansion: Der "Guardian" kauft PaidContent.org |url=https://www.computerwoche.de/article/2701371/der-guardian-kauft-paidcontent-org.html |access-date=2026-02-12 |website=Computerwoche |language=German}}</ref>
In February 2010, the group sold its GMG Regional Media division (consisting of two companies MEN Media and S&B Media which operated 31 local and regional newspaper titles) to [[Trinity Mirror]] for £44.8 million. The sale eroded the connection between ''The Guardian'' and Manchester as the sale of the ''[[Manchester Evening News]]'' was included in the package.<ref name="M.E.N sold to Trinity Mirror">{{cite web |title=Manchester Evening News sold by Guardian Media Group |publisher=[[Manchester Evening News]] |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/business/s/1192028_manchester_evening_news_sold_by_guardian_media_group_ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120909234851/http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/business/s/1192028_manchester_evening_news_sold_by_guardian_media_group_ |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 September 2012 |date=9 February 2010 |access-date=9 February 2010 }}</ref> The division's local television station for Greater Manchester, [[Channel M]], and two newspapers in [[Woking]] were not included in the sale.
GMG sold ContentNext Media's [[paidContent]] and other assets to [[Gigaom]] in February 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Company Statement: GigaOM acquires ContentNext Media from Guardian News & Media {{!}} MLex {{!}} Specialist news and analysis on legal risk and regulation |url=https://www.mlex.com/mlex/articles/2244725/company-statement-gigaom-acquires-contentnext-media-from-guardian-news-media |access-date=2026-02-12 |website=www.mlex.com |language=en}}</ref> In June 2012, GMG sold its [[GMG Radio]] division, which operated [[Real Radio]] and [[Smooth Radio (2010)|Smooth Radio]], to [[Global Radio]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/gnm-press-office/global-radio-acquires-gmg-radio|title=Global Radio acquires GMG Radio|newspaper=The Guardian|date=25 June 2012|access-date=16 February 2024|archive-date=16 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216200929/https://www.theguardian.com/gnm-press-office/global-radio-acquires-gmg-radio|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/nationals/ofcom-and-oft-to-investigate-70m-gmg-radio-sale/|title=Ofcom and OFT to investigate £70m GMG Radio sale|newspaper=Press Gazette|date=3 August 2012|access-date=16 February 2024|archive-date=16 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216200930/https://pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/nationals/ofcom-and-oft-to-investigate-70m-gmg-radio-sale/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In January 2014, GMG disposed of its remaining interest in Trader Media Group.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.gmgplc.co.uk/uncategorized/guardian-media-group-to-divest-holding-in-trader-media-3/ |title=Guardian Media Group to divest holding in Trader Media |newspaper=The Guardian |publisher=gmgplc.co.uk |date=21 January 2014 |access-date=25 January 2014 |archive-date=24 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140124174719/http://www.gmgplc.co.uk/uncategorized/guardian-media-group-to-divest-holding-in-trader-media-3/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[Carolyn McCall]] was the chief executive of Guardian Media Group and chair of Guardian News and Media Limited from 2006 until June 2010, when she was appointed chief executive of [[EasyJet]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Guardian group chief executive Carolyn McCall to join easyJet |first=Caroline |last=Davies |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/mar/23/carolyn-mccall-leaves-guardian-easyjet |newspaper=The Guardian |date=23 March 2010 |access-date=12 December 2015 |archive-date=22 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222091109/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/mar/23/carolyn-mccall-leaves-guardian-easyjet |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Andrew Miller (executive)|Andrew Miller]], previously the chief financial officer of the Group, was chief executive from July 2010 to 2015. David Pemsel took his place in 2015.<ref>{{cite news |title=Guardian Media Group appoints David Pemsel as chief executive |first=Mark |last=Sweney |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jun/18/guardian-media-group-appoints-david-pemsel-as-chief-executive |newspaper=The Guardian |date=18 June 2015 |access-date=12 December 2015 |archive-date=15 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151215115817/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jun/18/guardian-media-group-appoints-david-pemsel-as-chief-executive |url-status=live }}</ref>
In October 2017, the Guardian Media Group reported a plan to launch a new £42 million venture capital fund.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/10/18/guardian-turns-venture-capitalist-hunt-new-income/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/10/18/guardian-turns-venture-capitalist-hunt-new-income/ |archive-date=12 January 2022|url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=The Guardian turns venture capitalist in hunt for new income|date=18 October 2017|website=The Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}</ref> That plan was consummated, making the Scott Trust a limited partner in GMG Ventures LP. According to the GMG 2018 annual report, "this £42m venture capital fund is designed to contribute financial returns and to support GMG's strategy by investing in early stage businesses focused on developing the next generation of media technology".<ref name="auto"/>
In January 2020, it was announced that [[Annette Thomas]] would become the new chief executive in March 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/jan/14/guardian-media-group-appoints-new-chief-executive-annette-thomas|title=Guardian Media Group appoints new chief executive|last=Waterson|first=Jim|date=14 January 2020|website=The Guardian|access-date=15 January 2020|archive-date=15 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115121218/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/jan/14/guardian-media-group-appoints-new-chief-executive-annette-thomas|url-status=live}}</ref> Thomas was formerly editor of ''[[Nature (journal)|Nature]]'', MD of [[Nature Publishing Group]] and chief executive of [[Macmillan Publishers|Macmillan Science and Education]]. She replaced [[David Pemsel]] who left to take up a role at the [[Premier League]].<ref name=pg-20200114>{{cite news |url=https://www.pressgazette.co.uk/guardian-media-group-annette-thomas-chief-executive/ |title=Guardian group names scientist Annette Thomas as new chief executive |last=Mayhew |first=Freddy |newspaper=Press Gazette |date=14 January 2020 |access-date=15 January 2020 |archive-date=14 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114235530/https://www.pressgazette.co.uk/guardian-media-group-annette-thomas-chief-executive/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In May 2021, ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' reported ''Guardian'' editor [[Katharine Viner]] and Thomas were in conflict over finances and the direction the newspaper should take. The previous year ''The Guardian'' announced 180 job cuts. Thomas had earlier said at a media industry conference "we have quality content in spades ... the job at hand is to now go further by strengthening the growing elements of our business". Viner wanted renewed investment after better than feared financial results in 2020.<ref name=telegraph-20210517>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/05/17/guardian-leaders-clash-calls-shots/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/05/17/guardian-leaders-clash-calls-shots/ |archive-date=12 January 2022|url-status=live |title=Guardian leaders clash over 'who calls the shots' |last=Williams |first=Christopher |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |url-access=subscription |date=17 May 2021 |access-date=18 May 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On 9 June 2021, it was announced that Thomas would leave the Guardian Media Group at the end of the month.<ref name=guardian-20210609>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/jun/09/guardian-media-group-announces-departure-of-chief-executive-annette-thomas |title=Chief executive Annette Thomas to leave Guardian Media Group |newspaper=The Guardian |date=9 June 2021 |access-date=9 June 2021 |archive-date=9 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609143737/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/jun/09/guardian-media-group-announces-departure-of-chief-executive-annette-thomas |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=telegraph-20210609>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/06/09/guardian-boss-steps-wake-power-struggle/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/06/09/guardian-boss-steps-wake-power-struggle/ |archive-date=12 January 2022|url-status=live |title=Guardian boss steps down in wake of power struggle |last=Field |first=Matthew |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |url-access=subscription |date=9 June 2021 |access-date=9 June 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
In August 2022, Anna Bateson was appointed as chief executive.<ref name=guardian-20220825>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2022/aug/25/guardian-media-group-appoints-anna-bateson-as-chief-executive |title=Guardian Media Group appoints Anna Bateson as chief executive |last=Waterson |first=Jim |newspaper=The Guardian |date=25 August 2022 |access-date=22 December 2022 |archive-date=22 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222140553/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2022/aug/25/guardian-media-group-appoints-anna-bateson-as-chief-executive |url-status=live }}</ref> Subsequently Anders Jensen, chief executive of [[Viaplay]], resigned as a GMG non-executive director because of the appointment process, in particular the level of influence exerted by ''Guardian'' editor [[Katharine Viner]].<ref name=telegraph-20221222>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/12/21/guardian-staff-shut-office-newspaper-suffers-glitch/ |title=Guardian shuts offices after ransomware attack |last=Warrington |first=James |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |url-access=limited |date=22 December 2022 |access-date=22 December 2022 |archive-date=21 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221221175839/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/12/21/guardian-staff-shut-office-newspaper-suffers-glitch/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In September 2024, ''The Guardian'' revealed it was in talks to sell ''The Observer'' to news website [[Tortoise Media]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Warrington |first1=James |last2=Mawardi |first2=Adam |title=The Guardian in talks to sell The Observer to former BBC News chief |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/09/17/the-guardian-accounts-sell-observer-tortoise/ |website=The Telegraph |access-date=22 September 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240918090828/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/09/17/the-guardian-accounts-sell-observer-tortoise/ |archive-date=18 September 2024 |date=17 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Farber |first1=Alex |last2=Cahill |first2=Helen |title=Guardian Media Group in talks to sell The Observer |url=https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/companies/article/guardian-media-group-in-talks-to-sell-the-observer-jkq9mpq6x |website=The Times |access-date=22 September 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240918051757/https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/companies/article/guardian-media-group-in-talks-to-sell-the-observer-jkq9mpq6x |archive-date=18 September 2024 |language=en |date=17 September 2024}}</ref> Journalists at Guardian Media Group voted to condemn the sale and passed a vote of no confidence in the newspaper's owners, accusing it of betrayal amid concerns that the sale of the paper could harm the financial security of staff members.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cahill |first1=Helen |last2=Farber |first2=Alex |title=Journalists revolt over planned sale of Observer to Tortoise Media |url=https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/companies/article/journalists-revolt-over-planned-sale-of-observer-to-tortoise-media-6zbf2bt89 |website=[[The Times]] |access-date=22 September 2024 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20240919165824/https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/companies/article/journalists-revolt-over-planned-sale-of-observer-to-tortoise-media-6zbf2bt89 |archive-date=19 September 2024 |language=en |date=19 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Warrington |first1=James |title=Guardian staff accuse management of 'betrayal' over Observer sale talks |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/09/19/guardian-staff-accuse-management-of-betrayal-over-observer/ |website=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |access-date=22 September 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240919075850/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/09/19/guardian-staff-accuse-management-of-betrayal-over-observer/ |archive-date=19 September 2024 |date=19 September 2024}}</ref> The sale took place on 22 April 2025.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://inews.co.uk/news/its-cultural-vandalism-tears-anger-observer-staff-end-guardian-era-3650649 |title=It's cultural vandalism: tears and anger as Observer staff end Guardian era |date=21 April 2025 |website=inews.co.uk}}</ref>
In May 2025, GMG won a defamatory lawsuit brought by a man in Afghanistan who sued the company for mistakenly using his image to illustrate an article about the [[murder of Hamed Sabouri]] (who was a gay man) in Afghanistan in August 2022. In his ruling, High Court Justice [[Jeremy Johnson (judge)|Jeremy Johnson]] found that being labelled a homosexual is not defamatory for common law.<ref name="jpost">{{cite news |title=Guardian forced Afghan man into hiding after using his picture in LGBT-related article - lawsuit |url=https://www.jpost.com/international/article-854013 |access-date=2 January 2026 |work=[[The Jerusalem Post]] |date=14 May 2025}}</ref><ref name="caselaw">{{cite news |title=Case Law: Ahmadi v Guardian News and Media, High Court confirms that an allegation of homosexuality is not defamatory – Kate Cross |url=https://inforrm.org/2025/06/12/case-law-ahmadi-v-guardian-news-and-media-high-court-confirms-that-an-allegation-of-homosexuality-is-not-defamatory-kate-cross/ |access-date=2 January 2026 |work=Case Law |publisher=inforrm.org |date=12 June 2025}}</ref><ref name="ruling">{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Jeremy |author1-link=Jeremy Johnson (judge) |title=Safiullah Ahmadi - and - Guardian News & Media Limited |url=https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/KB/2025/1191.html |access-date=2 January 2026 |work=High Court of Justice |date=16 May 2025}}</ref>
==Group structure==
GMG's core business is Guardian News & Media Limited, publisher of theguardian.com, and ''The Guardian'' newspaper. Guardian News & Media was formed as Guardian Newspapers Limited in 1967, adopting its present name in 2006.
The group has a portfolio of investments to help support its journalism.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gmgplc.co.uk/gmg/our-investments/ |title=Our investments |publisher=Guardian Media Group PLC |access-date=2013-10-25 |archive-date=2013-10-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023074916/http://www.gmgplc.co.uk/gmg/our-investments/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> They comprise: * [[Ascential]]: an international business-to-business digital intelligence and events business. * An externally managed investment fund.
Guardian Media Group exists to support the core purpose of its owner, Scott Trust Limited: to secure the financial and editorial independence of ''The Guardian'' in perpetuity,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gmgplc.co.uk/the-scott-trust|title=The Scott Trust |work=The Guardian|access-date=2012-06-26|archive-date=2015-07-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150718144313/http://www.gmgplc.co.uk/the-scott-trust/|url-status=live}}</ref> but in the 2011/12 year the group lost £75.6 million,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.gmgplc.co.uk/press-releases/2012/guardian-media-group-plc-gmg-announces-full-year-results-for-201112/|title=Guardian Media Group plc (GMG) announces full-year results for 2011/2012|work=The Guardian|date=10 August 2012|access-date=28 June 2013|archive-date=14 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150514223252/http://www.gmgplc.co.uk/press-releases/2012/guardian-media-group-plc-gmg-announces-full-year-results-for-201112/|url-status=live}}</ref> and for the three years up to June 2012, the paper itself lost £100,000 a day - leading ''The Economist'''s ''[[Intelligent Life (magazine)|Intelligent Life]]'' magazine to question whether ''The Guardian'' could survive.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=July–August 2012 |first1=Tim |last1=de Lisle |url=http://moreintelligentlife.com/content/ideas/tim-de-lisle/can-guardian-survive |title=Can The Guardian Survive? |magazine=More Intelligent Life |access-date=2013-10-25 |archive-date=2014-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819142430/http://moreintelligentlife.com/content/ideas/tim-de-lisle/can-guardian-survive |url-status=dead }}</ref> In late 2013, GMG sold their GMG Property Services Group to private equity firm [[Lloyds Development Capital]] (rebranded to Property Software Group), citing that it would allow them to focus on investing in the core part of their business—Guardian News and Media.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/business/private-equity-backing-ps178m-buyout-gmg-group-1851009 |website= Yorkshire Post |title=Private equity backing for £17.8m buyout of GMG group |date=19 December 2013 |access-date=2021-07-21 |archive-date=2021-07-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722210413/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/business/private-equity-backing-ps178m-buyout-gmg-group-1851009 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2014, ''The Guardian'' launched a membership scheme, aiming to avoid introducing a [[paywall]] and maintaining open access to the website. As of 2018, this approach was considered successful, having brought more than 1 million subscriptions or donations, with the paper hoping to break even by April 2019,<ref name=guardian-20181112>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/membership/2018/nov/12/katharine-viner-guardian-million-reader-funding |title=The Guardian's reader funding model is working. It's inspiring |last=Viner |first=Katharine |newspaper=The Guardian |date=12 November 2018 |access-date=12 November 2018 |archive-date=12 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181112100156/https://www.theguardian.com/membership/2018/nov/12/katharine-viner-guardian-million-reader-funding |url-status=live }}</ref> a goal they achieved in May 2019.<ref name=guardian-20190501>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global/2019/may/01/the-guardian-break-even-katharine-viner |title=The Guardian breaks even against the odds: we couldn't have done this without you |last=Viner |first=Katharine |newspaper=The Guardian |date=1 May 2019 |access-date=1 May 2019 |archive-date=1 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501094011/https://www.theguardian.com/global/2019/may/01/the-guardian-break-even-katharine-viner |url-status=live }}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == *{{official website|https://www.theguardian.com/gmg}} *[https://www.theguardian.com Guardian website] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20181221192547/http://tradermediagroup.co.uk/ TMG website] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20170110132340/http://gmgpsg.com/ GMG Property Services website]
{{Guardian Media Group}} {{Media in the United Kingdom|comporg}} {{Portal bar|Journalism|United Kingdom}}
[[Category:Guardian Media Group| ]] [[Category:The Guardian|Media Group]] [[Category:Privately held companies of the United Kingdom]] [[Category:British companies established in 1993]] [[Category:Publishing companies established in 1993]] [[Category:B Lab-certified corporations]] [[Category:1993 establishments in England]]