The Australian Broadcasting Corporation announced on Monday that Singapore-based Michelle Guthrie will replace Mark Scott as its new managing director. Guthrie is the first woman to have been hired for the position at the broadcasting company.

The ABC chairman James Spigelman said in an email to the staff that Guthrie is “ideally credentialed” for the position.

"Michelle brings a unique local and global view to the role, having grown up in Sydney and worked at senior levels here and around the world," he said in a statement. "She brings to the ABC her business expertise, international contacts, record in content-making across an array of platforms, a deep understanding of audience needs and corporate responsibility for promoting issues like diversity."

Guthrie, who had previously worked with a number of media firms including Foxtel, BskyB and Star, is expected to take over from Scott in April. Scott had announced his decision to step down earlier this year. News 24 was introduced to ABC under his leadership, and he guided the company through a number of huge cuts in its budget.

Guthrie will also become a part of the board, and her role will include the responsibilities of the editor-in-chief.

"Having the role of being a true independent public broadcaster and being able to deliver fantastic content across platforms, across digital, mobile, television, radio, to all Australians is extraordinary," she told ABC News 24 in her first interview after appointment. "My hope is that I can really contribute to the organisation."

She added that her focus would be to lead the company into an ever-expanding digital arena to keep up with the changing needs of the people. She said she is satisfied with the current editorial structure but added that she would sit with the board to discuss the best options for supporting the editorial decisions.

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