↑ Oswald Schwirtz ©Oswald Schwirtz – Judging for the 2015 Photo Contest starts this Sunday
World Press Photo has announced Oswald Schwirtz (NL) as the new chairman of its Supervisory Board. He succeeds Pieter Broertjes who had served as the board’s chairman since 2007.
They say: Oswald Schwirtz (52) is an Amsterdam-based serial entrepreneur and a photographer. He set up several companies, made a well-known documentary series on Dutch photographers entitled ‘Hollands Zicht’, and has extended experience in leading unprecedented organisations such as Young in Prison and Het Ketelhuis. Schwirtz was, among others, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce of Amsterdam, and currently chairs the Dutch Actors Association (Act). Also, he is the photographer of the sailing team Brunel in the Volvo Ocean Race.
Oswald Schwirtz: “To me, World Press Photo is the most beautiful photo brand in the world. Together with the new managing director Lars Boering, we will turn the foundation into the beating heart of the international photo industry. There is an amazing base, but now comes the time to solidify it even more. World Press Photo wants to share the love for photography as widely as possible.”
Pieter Broertjes became a member of the World Press Photo Board in 1999. In 2007, he was appointed chairman of the foundation. Broertjes says: “World Press Photo is in good hands with Oswald Schwirtz and its new director Lars Boering. After so many years on the board and 8 years as its chairman, I pass the torch to my successor with a lot of trust.”
Note: Judging for the 2015 Photo Contest starts this Sunday