SBS Farewells Chair George Savvides AM – Born of Greek Cypriot parents, Mr Savvides joined the SBS Board as Deputy Chair in February 2017 and was appointed Chair in July 2020. Throughout his service to the organisation, he has been strongly committed to serving contemporary Australia with diverse, multilingual and First Nations media services that strengthen inclusion and belonging for all.
During Mr Savvides’ time as Chair, the public broadcaster has undergone a significant digital transformation, supported Australian communities through the Covid-19 pandemic, was recognised as the nation’s most trusted news brand[1], named Australian podcaster of the year three years in a row[2], commenced work on its expansion to Western Sydney, and launched its Elevate Reconciliation Plan.
SBS Managing Director, James Taylor, said:
“I’d like to congratulate George, on behalf of the Board and the organisation, for the immense contribution he has made to SBS over the last eight years. From the very beginning, he saw the potential and responsibility of SBS — not just to be a broadcaster, but to be a builder of trust, identity, and inclusion in this country.
“He’s been a fierce advocate for SBS’s independence and public value, and his voice has carried weight with government and community stakeholders who trust and respect him deeply.”
Mr Savvides described his time as Chair of SBS, concluding with the broadcaster’s 50th anniversary year, as “one of the greatest privileges of my professional life” and said he was supremely confident in the future of the organisation, which is today reaching more audiences than ever in over 60 languages across multiple platforms.
“As I prepare to depart the role of a lifetime, I’m proud that SBS continues to go from strength to strength, delivering essential services to all Australians with a strong focus on building respect, understanding and cohesion to deliver better social and economic outcomes for all the communities we serve,”
– he said.
“SBS is a public institution that enjoys deep levels of trust among our audiences in an age of misinformation and polarisation. It continues to be an exemplar, offering a seat at the table to all Australians in every language, from every background, across a diverse range of experiences. The story of SBS is – and always has been – the story of Australia.’’
“I want to thank my fellow Board members and Managing Director James Taylor for their support and expertise over the years, as well as the incredible SBS team – who every day look to the future with the same courage and conviction that brought SBS into being 50 years ago.”
Current SBS Deputy Chair Christine Zeitz will serve as Acting Chair until a new Chairperson is appointed by the Federal Government.
“George has been an outstanding Chair – bringing a rare combination of strategic discipline, lived values, and deeply personal leadership to the role. I thank him for his service, and I look forward to bringing an equal level of passion and dedication to delivering on SBS’s Charter whilst serving as Acting Chair,”
– she said.
[1] Reuter Institute Digital News Report 2024
[2] Australian Podcast Awards 2022, 2023, 2024
Media Release – SBS
Link to SBS on Demand HERE
TV Central SBS content HERE
SBS Farewells Chair George Savvides AM
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