Carolyn McCall confirmed as easyJet chief

Low-cost airline easyJet has confirmed that Carolyn McCall, the chief executive of Guardian Media Group, is to be its next chief executive.

A start date for McCall, who has worked at Guardian Media Group for 24 years, has not yet been finalised.

Sir Michael Rake, the chairman of easyJet, said that McCall had been chosen to run the FTSE company following a "thorough process" against a field of "high calibre" candidates.

"Following a thorough process involving a number of high calibre candidates we have unanimously chosen a strong chief executive with the strategic ability, operational capability and passion to drive easyJet through the next stage of its development and we look forward to working with Carolyn," said Rake.

The company said that McCall, who joined GMG as a research planner in 1986 and rose through the ranks to be appointed group chief executive in 2006, had a "proven track record of successful operational delivery in a fast changing online consumer-facing business combined with extensive plc board and government and lobbying experience."

"The Guardian has been my second family for a quarter of a century, and I feel incredibly privileged to be part of such a wonderful and unique organisation," said McCall. "However, the chance to lead a FTSE company of easyJet's calibre is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. My priority will be to build on easyJet's strengths – a strong consumer proposition, leadership positions in many of Europe's key airports, and an operating model built around simplicity and low cost."

McCall, 48, has held non-executive roles at New Look, Lloyds TSB and Tesco. During her time at the Guardian she oversaw investment programme in new printing presses which facilitated a move from broadsheet to Berliner format. She was the driving force in the acquisition of a 30% stake in Emap's business-to-business titles in a £1bn deal with equity partner Apax in 2007. The funds for the move were raised from the sale of a stake in Trader Media Group to Apax for £675m. She also oversaw the launch of Guardian Unlimited, parent of MediaGuardian.co.uk, and the establishment of an investment portfolio worth more than £200m.

McCall said that she felt that she was leaving GMG, which has been undergoing a cost-cutting programme to reduce significant losses, "knowing that our journalism has never been more influential or widely read, and with complete confidence that its financial position is secure".

"Carolyn has been an inspired and visionary leader of the Guardian, the Observer and GMG," said Alan Rusbridger, the editor-in-chief of GNM. "She has unwaveringly supported our journalists and, with GMG, worked tirelessly to develop a highly successful media company to protect and nourish our editorial output and aims. She is a digital pioneer, a lovely colleague and a good friend."