Guardian taps Furness as managing director, customer engagement and business development

The Guardian has appointed Richard Furness as managing director, customer engagement and business development.

In his new role, Furness will lead the newly created customer engagement and business development division while focusing on building a coordinated strategy across the publisher’s growing multimedia portfolio and reader revenue opportunities.

He will also work on building The Guardian’s strategy for masterclasses and live events.

Furness has been with the company since 1998 and has held several roles, including head of sales and marketing, director of brand and engagement, director of publishing, and most recently serving as managing director of consumer revenues and publishing.

Paul Kanareck, chief commercial and customer officer, Guardian News & Media said:

“Rich has a long history of outstanding work at the Guardian. I’m confident that in his new role he will continue in the same vein, and will build on our already successful reader revenue and multimedia offering to ensure that we are maximizing all opportunities available and offering the best experience for our readers.”

Furness added:

“I’m really excited about the next phase of our growth, and the opportunity to work closely with our award-winning editorial and commercial teams to grow the value of our multimedia portfolio and explore new ways to engage our readers globally.”