George Savvides AM

George Savvides AM was initially appointed as Deputy Chair on the SBS Board of Directors on 23 February, 2017 before being appointed as Chair of the SBS Board on 9 July, 2020. George 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, Macquarie University Hospital, Next Science Pty Ltd and former Board member of NZX listed Ryman Healthcare. He is also currently Chair of I-MED Radiology Network, and a Board member of Insurance Australia Group Limited, and BuildXact Software 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, a Masters of Business Administration from University of Technology Sydney and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

In early 2020, 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 and a member of SBS’s Community Advisory Committee.