SBS chairman George Savvides will leave the broadcaster if his second term concludes.
He joined in 2017 as a deputy chairman and was appointed chairman in 2020.
During that time, the public broadcaster underwent an important digital transformation, Australian communities supported the COVID-19 Pandemie, was recognized as the most trusted news of the nation, three years in a row named Australian Podcaster of the Year, started work on his expansion to West Sydney.
SBS Managing Director, James Taylor, said: “I would like to congratulate George on behalf of the council and the organization for the immense contribution he has made to SBS in the last eight years. From the start he saw the potential and responsibility of SBS – not only a broadcaster, but to be a builder of trust, identity and admission to this country.
“He has been a fierce advocate for the independence and public value of SBS, and his voice has given weight with the government and stakeholders of the community who deeply trust and respect him.”
Mr. Savvides described his time as chairman of SBS as “one of the greatest privileges of my professional life.”
“While I am preparing for the role of your life, I am proud that SBS remains in power to strength, provide essential services to all Australians with a strong focus on building respect, understanding and coherence to deliver better social and economic results for all the communities we serve,” he said.
“SBS is a public institution that enjoys deep levels of trust with our audience in an era of wrong information and polarization. It remains an example that offers a place at the table to all Australians in every language, from every background, on a diverse range of experiences. The story of SBS is – and always is the story of Australia.
“I want to thank my colleague board members and general manager James Taylor for their support and expertise over the years, as well as the incredible SBS team -who watch the future every day with the same courage and conviction that SBS brought 50 years ago.”
The current deputy chairman Christine Zeitz will serve as acting chairman until a new chairman is appointed by the federal government.
“George has been an excellent chairman – bringing a rare combination of strategic discipline, lived values and deeply personal leadership for the role. I thank him for his service, and I look forward to bringing an equal level of passion and dedication to supplying SBS’s charter while serving as an acting chair.
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