Guardian Australia has announced that CEO Ian McClelland has been promoted to managing director of corporate development at Guardian Media Group.

Evelyn Webster, current interim CEO of Guardian US, has been appointed as CEO of both Guardian US and Guardian Australia, while recruitment for a new local managing director for Guardian Australia has commenced.

Guardian Australia chief financial officer Matt Connor will act as interim managing director, and Ian will remain on the board of GNM Australia until the new managing director starts.

McClelland will relocate to London in April 2018 to take up his new role, having achieved his five-year business plan of financial sustainability for Guardian Australia. The digital edition is forecast to reach around break even at the end of March 2018.

Ian set up Guardian Australia in 2013 with founding editor Katharine Viner, who is now editor-in-chief of Guardian News and Media.

Guardian Australia editor Lenore Taylor said: “It’s been a great pleasure working with Ian to adapt Guardian Australia to the changing business environment and to launch the membership program which has seen readers respond so positively to our journalism.

“Guardian Australia will continue with its primary editorial mission to tell essential Australian stories to its Australian audience and to Guardian readers around the world.”

Commenting on his departure, McClelland said: “It’s been a huge privilege to help launch and grow Guardian Australia, which has become a vital and distinctive news source for millions of Australians.

“It’s satisfying to be leaving Guardian Australia in such a robust position; from our brilliant journalism to our strong relationships with advertisers and readers.