Nigel Lake
I believe there is almost always a better way to do things, and love how complexity allows the quick-witted to unlock opportunities that others don't see or are too cautious to grasp. My book, The Long Term Starts Tomorrow, makes the case for long term perspective when dealing with a fast changing world.
I've lived and worked in most of the top thirty economies, and advised hundreds of major companies and governments on major M&A transactions, strategic transformations, large infrastructure projects and the application of big data analytics to boardroom decisions.
Navigating change
My career has been built around the combination of systems thinking, conceptual frameworks, robust financial and statistical analysis, and clear strategic vision.
My core strength is navigation. I have an exceptional track record in reducing risks associated with transformational change, whether through organic repositioning, large scale M&A or major investments.
Original thinking
Throughout my career, I have been involved in the development of innovative methods for assessing value and risk, with a strong focus on long term outcomes.
The conceptual background to this thinking is laid out in my book The Long Term Starts Tomorrow, which argues that long term thinking is the only reliable way to create value in a short term world.
Global experience
I was born in Colombia, grew up in the Middle East and the UK, and have lived in London, Tokyo, Sydney and New York.
My experience covers all major industry sectors and encompasses hundreds of M&A transactions, infrastructure projects, strategy assignments and financings with a combined value of some $500 billion. The vast majority of these have created true value for my clients.
-
Strategy
ACT (Education, USA)
Brookfield Multiplex
CH2 (Pharmaceuticals distribution)
Data science company
Enova Energy
Foxtel (Cable TV, Australia)
G8 Education
Large listed property company
Large services company (USA)
Mermaid Marine (logistics, SE Asia)
National Farmers Federation
OZ Minerals (minerals, Australia)
Pharmacy Guild of Australia
RACQ (Motor club)
Sunshine Sugar
Super Retail Group
Unilever
M&A and other transactions
Sale of Telstra-owned ecommerce business Neto to Maropost
Photon Energy on its divestment of several solar PV assets
Maximus Inc on its proposed acquisition of Konetk Limited
Asset sales by Hunter Water, one of Australia's largest water companies
Dimension Data's Oakton acquisition
$304m merger of The Rock Building Society with MyState
Diversa on its merger with OneVue
Sale of ING Investment Management Australia ($34bn FuM)
Maximus Inc's hostile bid for Konekt
Pearson's acquisition of Borders A/NZ online book retailing businesses
NEC's $227m acquisition of CSG
Formation of water utility QUU via a $4.3bn five way merger
Suncorp's $7.9bn acquisition of Promina, and related transactions
Infrastructure
Triennial review of the $13bn Australian Reinsurance Pool Corporation (Australia's national terrorism reinsurance pool)
Options for the delivery of Inland Rail, the proposed $10bn freight rail link between Brisbane and Melbourne
Review of funding, financing and delivery options for Melbourne Metro, Brisbane Cross River Rail and Legacy Way (collectively $25bn)
Organisational restructuring by TransACT (Telecoms, Australia)
Commercial perspective and funding models for Australia's $80bn+ High Speed Rail project
Innovation and disruption
Advised companies such as Cochlear, Flight Centre Travel Group, Rheem and Rio Tinto on innovation and disruption
Advising primarily B2B tech start-ups on cross-border market entry and business growth
Co-founder of various start-ups, including Atomli, ESGX and Pottinger
Advisor to a variety of startups in the US, UK and Australia, including Change Foods, Cryptophoto, Hemple, Netpage, Tutorbee and Waysact
Expert perspective
Advice to the ABA of the definition of 'small business' under the Banking Code of Conduct
Advice to Australia's Treasury on the request by national airline Qantas for financial support
Expert witness for Australia's Competition Commission (ACCC) in relation to AGL's acquisition of Macquarie Generation
Speaker on a variety of topics, including ESG and sustainability, innovation, infrastructure and the importance of long-term thinking
Public policy
Advice to the Australian Government on highly sensitive foreign investment matters
Advice to the National Farmers' Federation on increasing the resilience of Australia's agricultural sector
Landcom on an independent review of its business model and strategy
Member of the B20's Infrastructure Financing Taskforce
Keynote presenter at major conferences and business events
Nigel’s Perspectives
