SBS chair George Savvides to step down after eight years at pubcaster

Australian multi-cultural broadcaster SBS will be seeking a new chair following the announcement George Savvides will be leaving his post after two terms in the position.

George Savvides

Current SBS deputy chair Christine Zeitz will serve in the acting position until a new chairperson is appointed by the federal government.

Savvides joined the SBS board as deputy chair in February 2017, moving to chair in July 2020. SBS managing director, James Taylor, commended Savvides contribution to the broadcaster 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.”

Savvides described his experience as chair of SBS as “one of the greatest privileges of my professional life.”

“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.