SBS selects James Taylor as managing director
SBS’ board of directors has announced acting managing director James Taylor has been appointed permanently to the national broadcaster’s top role.
Taylor has been acting in the role since early October, following the departure of Michael Ebeid. He was previously the organisation’s chief financial officer, a role which he had held for the last five years. His appointment to managing director comes with a five-year term.
The executive has more than 18 years’ experience in media and telecommunications in Australia and abroad, including stints at Deloitte Australia and BT after seven years as the ABC’s commercial director.
SBS’ chairman, Dr Bulent Hass Dellal AO, said: “James sets a very high benchmark as a widely respected leader with a deep understanding of SBS and the challenges it faces, and as a champion for all that it stands for.
“The board has great confidence in James’ skill and ability to be an inspiring leader of SBS, building on recent developments and successes to date, and empowering the organisation and its people to take SBS forward into the future.
“Not only does James have a comprehensive and innate knowledge of SBS and its operations, he has developed a significant level of trust and rapport with its board, the executive team and employees throughout the organisation over the years. He has been a driving force and key collaborator across a range of projects which have seen SBS transform into the modern, innovative and efficient multiplatform broadcaster it is today.
“Importantly, James exhibits a genuine and contagious passion for the unique position SBS holds in the Australian media landscape, for delivering an outstanding service to all Australians that truly represents them and tells their stories, and for SBS continuing to play a vital role in Australia’s success as a thriving multicultural nation. The board looks forward to working with him in the years ahead.”
Taylor added: “I’m incredibly proud to work at SBS, and privileged to be appointed as its managing director. With the continually changing face of modern Australia, and in a landscape of polarised views and debate, the value of an independent and trusted public broadcaster committed to helping Australians understand each other better, has never been more important.
“SBS provides a distinctive and unparalleled offering for audiences. Working with the talented team, our focus for the future is for SBS to continue being an innovative and effective leader in championing the benefits of a more inclusive society, exploring multicultural and Indigenous stories otherwise untold, giving a voice to communities often unheard, and continuing to reinforce our value to all Australians.”
Great leader, great person, great decision. Congrats James!
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