Mr Skrzynski retired on 26 March 2014 after a five year appointment to the Board of SBS, the last four of which as Chairman. He has presided over major changes of strategy and senior staff at SBS, and secured the largest increase in funding in the history of the organisation.
Mr Skrzynski migrated to Australia in 1950 with his family as refugees from Poland.
He has had a long career in the media, including being Chief Executive of the Australian Film Commission (1980-1984), and was the architect of the Division 10BA film funding scheme, which saw the rapid expansion of the film industry. He subsequently chaired the Australian, Film, Television & Radio School and the National Boradcast Council.
He is currently a Director of the United States Studies Centre of the University of Sydney, and was previously Chairman of the Sydney Opera House Trust, and Deputy Chairman of the Major Organisations Board of the Australia Council.
He is the Founding Partner of Castle Harlan Australian Mezannine Partners (CHAMP), the pioneering Australian private equity fund, which has managed the investment of some $5 billion in over 80 companies across Australia and South East Asia, including a very successful controlling investment in Austar and currently in oOh!media, the leading outdoor advertising company in Australia.
He is an Officer of the Order of Australia in recognition of his involvement in the cultural sector.
