The RACAT Group has announced Piers Grove has been appointed as managing director of Australian Geographic as the publication embarks on an exciting new chapter.
Grove is an experienced entrepreneur and businessman, with a particular passion for the environment and sustainability.
He is co-founder and chairman of Australia’s largest climate tech start-up accelerator and network, EnergyLab, a founding partner in the ethical super fund, Future Super, and a governor of World Wildlife Fund Australia.
Grove also brings a wealth of publishing experience to the role and is a co-founder of some of Australia’s most successful digital publishing brands, including The Betoota Advocate and The Daily Aus.
He will take on the new role in addition to his current role as managing director and publisher of Junkee Media, which was acquired by RACAT in December 2021.
Grove said he was honoured to take on the expanded role: “This is a dream role for me. Australian Geographic is an iconic brand and it’s a privilege to take custodianship of something that has been educating and inspiring Australians for decades.
“Respected and rigorous mastheads such as Australian Geographic are needed now more than ever. I’m incredibly excited to work with the talented editorial team led by Chrissie Goldrick, to help Australian Geographic reach new audiences and to cement its future for decades to come.”
Australian Geographic editor-in-chief Goldrick said: “Piers brings with him a track record of success and a wealth of experience in digital publishing, and we look forward to seeing Australian Geographic’s digital presence thrive under his leadership.”
RACAT Group CEO and chair of the Australian Geographic Society, David Haslingden said that Grove was exactly the right person to take one of Australia’s most-loved mastheads into the future.
“Piers has an exceptional record of building digital publications, and I know he shares our abiding passion for the natural world and telling Australian stories. I’m enormously excited to see what he can do to expand the Australian Geographic footprint,” he added.