Danika Johnston named interim Guardian Australia MD

Guardian Australia has named commercial partnerships director Danika Johnston as interim managing director following Rebecca Costello’s resignation in August.

Johnston starts immediately and will report to Guardian Media Group CEO Anna Bateson. The publisher is recruiting a permanent managing director.

Costello left Guardian Australia on 18 September after nearly three years as managing director. When her departure was announced in August, Bateson told staff that details of the interim leadership arrangements would follow.

Johnston’s background

Johnston joined Guardian Australia in 2025. She previously held leadership roles at Nova Entertainment, Mamamia, SBS and TikTok, and was Australian managing director of WeAre8.

She will lead Guardian Australia’s commercial division during recruitment.