Mr Mitchell is the founder of Mitchell & Partners and until August 2013, was Executive Chairman of Aegis Media, Australia and New Zealand. Since he started Mitchell & Partners in 1976, the company has evolved to become the largest media and communications group in Australia today. The company was sold to Dentsu of Japan in 2012 for $650 million.
In December 2000, Mr Mitchell launched the Harold Mitchell Foundation which distributes funds between health and the arts.
Mr Mitchell holds several community roles including Chairman of The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, board member of the New York Philharmonic, and Chairman of Australia-Indonesia Centre.
Mr Mitchell is a member of the Crown Corporate Social Responsibility and Nomination and Remuneration Committees and is a director on the Crown Resorts board.
Previously Mr Mitchell was Chairman of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, TVS, University of Western Sydney’s television service for Greater Sydney, Chairman Free TV Australia, Chairman Art Exhibitions Australia, and director of Tennis Australia.
He has also been the major shareholder in the seven station, three and a half million-acre cattle property Yougawalla, the largest property in the East Kimberley and major beef exporter to Asia.
In 2003, Mr Mitchell delivered the Andrew Olle Memorial Lecture on Media. In January 2004, he was awarded the 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.
In December 2011, Mr Mitchell was awarded an Honorary Doctorate – Doctor of Business Honoris Causa, by RMIT University.
Mr Mitchell was awarded the Victorian Australian of the Year for 2013.
In August 2013, Mr Mitchell was appointed Adjunct Professor, School of Humanities and Communications Arts, University of Western Sydney.
Both Melbourne University and Monash University have conferred on him an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.