Harold Mitchell AC AO founded Mitchell & Partners in 1976 and until August 2013 was executive chair of Aegis Media, Australia and New Zealand.
In December 2000, Mr Mitchell launched the Harold Mitchell Foundation which distributes funds between health and the arts. Mr Mitchell holds a large number of community roles including chair of Art Exhibitions Australia, vice president of Tennis Australia, chair of The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, board member of New York Philharmonic, chair of Australia-Indonesia Centre, and chair of FreeTV Australia. Previously, Mr Mitchell was chair of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, TVS and University of Western Sydney's television service for Greater Sydney and in June 2015, he was appointed chair of the Victorian Premier's Job and Investment Panel. In 2003, Mr Mitchell delivered the Andrew Olle Memorial Lecture on Media.
In August 2013, Mr Mitchell was appointed adjunct professor at the School of Humanities and Communications Arts in the University of Western Sydney. In December 2014, Melbourne University conferred on him an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.
Mr Mitchell was a member of the Crown Corporate Social Responsibility and Nomination and Remuneration Committees, and sat on the Crown Resorts Foundation Board.
In January 2004, he was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia for his services as a benefactor and fundraiser in support of artistic and cultural endeavour. Mr Mitchell was appointed Companion of the Order of Australia in 2010 for eminent service to the community through leadership and philanthropic endeavours in the fields of art, health and education and as a supporter of humanitarian aid in Timor-Leste and Indigenous communities.
