A new Chair has been appointed to SBS: Mr George Savvides AM.
He is appointed for a period of five years, effective from today.
Save Our SBS President, Steve Aujard said, “We have previously met George as he was the Deputy Chair of SBS for three years.”
SBS Managing Director, James Taylor; said: “On behalf of the Board and SBS, I’d like to congratulate George on his appointment.
“Since being appointed as Deputy Chair in 2017, and most recently as Acting Chair, he has played a key role in ensuring SBS is a contemporary media organisation in a rapidly changing sector, serving and celebrating a contemporary and diverse multicultural society.
“I look forward to continuing to work with George and the SBS Board as we evolve in service of all Australians.”
Mr Savvides said on his appointment: “It’s a great honour to have the opportunity to chair SBS. Over 45 years, SBS has played a vital role in informing and shaping Australia, not only meeting the needs of multicultural communities and our First Nations people, but helping all Australians explore and celebrate our diversity.”
Mr Savvides has more than 30 years’ experience in the Australian and New Zealand health care sector. He was Managing Director of the government-owned enterprise, Medibank and ASX-listed Medibank Private for 14 years until 2016. He has also served as Managing Director and CEO of Sigma Pharmaceuticals, Smith & Nephew and CIG Healthcare. Mr Savvides has an Honours degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of New South Wales and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Technology Sydney. He is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Mr Savvides served as Chair of World Vision Australia for 18 years, and is a former Chair of Kings Transport Group Limited and Macquarie University Hospital. He is currently a board member of Insurance Australia Group Limited and NZX- listed Ryman Healthcare, and Chair of Next Science Pty Limited.
Communications Minister, Paul Fletcher, congratulated Mr Savvides on his appointment as Chair of SBS.
The SBS Chair is a government appointment.
