Greek Cypriot-Australian George Savvides has been appointed Chairman of the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS), as announced by the Minister for Communications, Paul Fletcher MP, on Thursday.

Mr Savvides, a highly respected businessman in Australia, has more than 30 years of 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.

“Mr Savvides is an eminent Australian and a highly respected businessman. I am pleased that he is stepping into this position and have no doubt that as Chair he will continue to make a valuable contribution to the Board of SBS,” said Paul Fletcher, the Federal Minister of Communications and Arts, in congratulating Mr Savvides on his appointment as Chair of SBS.

Mr Savvides joined the SBS board in February 2017, as deputy chairman and has been acting chairman since June 2, 2020.
“Since being appointed as Deputy Chair in 2017, and most recently as Acting Chair, he [George Savvides] 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.” said SBS Managing Director, James Taylor.

“It’s a great honour to have the opportunity to chair SBS.” Mr Savvides said on his appointment. “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, Dorothy West, Christine Zeitz AM, and James Taylor (Managing Director).

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