Australia's SBS Managing Director James Taylor steps down

SBS Managing Director James Taylor will be stepping down from his role at the public broadcaster after 13 years of service, with the last seven years as Managing Director. Appointed as Managing Director in October 2018, Taylor has presided over a period of record growth for SBS. Taylor will depart SBS in the coming months. The SBS Board of Directors will immediately begin a recruitment process to recruit a new Managing Director.

“It’s been a privilege to lead SBS and work alongside such a talented and committed team. I’m incredibly proud that today we’re reaching the biggest audiences in our history, producing more original local content than ever, and doing it with a credibility we’ve earned, not claimed,” said Taylor. “SBS has a clear purpose: to serve, reflect and connect all Australians – no matter where their story began or what language they speak. We strengthen society by sharing diverse perspectives and experiences – reflecting the rich, complex reality of contemporary Australia. I’d like to thank the whole SBS team and in particular my Board and Executive colleagues for their commitment to SBS and the support they’ve shown me over the years.”

Acting SBS Chairperson Christine Zeitz said: “James has been an outstanding leader for SBS, delivering a world-class digital transformation at a challenging time for the industry, implementing an end-to-end multilingual strategy for all our content, and embedding First Nations storytelling including through a transformative Elevate Reconciliation Action Plan. SBS On Demand is the highest rated Australian app on the Apple and Android app stores, last year SBS was named as Australia’s most trusted news, and SBS currently enjoys the highest total revenues in its history. In our 50th year, with plans for SBS to expand to Western Sydney, staff engagement at record highs, and the excitement building for the men’s FIFA World Cup™ in 2026, James is leaving the organisation in remarkable health. On behalf of the Board I want to thank him for his thoughtful and committed leadership of SBS for the past seven years.”