9/07/2020

SBS has welcomed the appointment of George Savvides AM as the new SBS Chair, as announced by the Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, Paul Fletcher MP, today.

SBS Managing Director, James Taylor; said: On behalf of the Board and SBS, Id 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. It is a truly unique organisation, supporting economic and civil participation, and striving to inspire all Australians to experience the benefits of social inclusion.

SBS's role for the next 45 years will be even more important as our nation's diversity increases, and I look forward to working with the Board, Executive and the entire SBS team to ensure SBS continues to play a special role in Australia's future.

I also acknowledge former Chair, Dr Bulent Hass Dellal AO, who I had the great privilege to work with. I thank Hass for his inspiring and passionate advocacy for SBS and the role it plays in Australia.

Mr Savvides has been appointed by the Australian Government as Chair of the SBS Board for a period of five years. He leads the Board of Directors which includes Peeyush Gupta AM, Daryl Karp AM, William Lenehan, Sally Walker AM, Dorothy West, Christine Zeitz, and James Taylor (Managing Director).

His appointment follows the conclusion of Dr Bulent Hass Dellal AO's term as Chair in June after a decade of service on the SBS Board.

ENDS

For a PDF version of the media release click here.

About George Savvides AM

Appointed as Deputy Chair on the SBS Board of Directors on 23 February 2017, George Savvides AM has extensive management and board experience working in government-owned enterprises and not-for-profit organisations.

With 30 years experience in the Australian and New Zealand health care sector, he was CEO of two IPO listings on the ASX, Sigma in 1999 and Medibank Private in 2014, and served as the CEO of Medibank, for 14 years until 2016. He served as Chair of World Vision Australia until February 2018, and is a former Chair of Kings Group Ltd 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 Ltd.

Born in Sydney of Greek Cypriot parents, he moved to Melbourne with his family in 1992. He has an honours degree in Industrial Engineering from UNSW and a Masters of Business Administration from University of Technology Sydney and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Earlier this year, George was made a member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the community, to charitable groups and to business.

During his service on the SBS Board, George has been Chair of the SBS Board Remuneration Committee, a member of SBS's Community Advisory Committee, and served as Acting Chair of SBS from June 2020.

LINK:	https://www.sbs.com.au/aboutus/sbs-welcomes-appointment-of-george-savv...
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