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Class of 892 Feature
WHERE DID YOU COME FROM TO
ATTEND BOND?
I moved from Melbourne to live on campus
at Bond.
Making his mark
HOW DID YOUR CAREER
PROGRESS AFTER YOU LEFT
BOND?
I did a backpacking holiday through the
United States, Europe and Asia for five
months. I then came back and worked for
one of the large accounting firms, Arthur
Anderson, as well as undertaking further
postgraduate study.
After 18 months, I left Arthur Anderson and
joined the investment banking department
of UBS where I worked for five years. I then
joined and remain working in Credit Suisse’s
investment banking department. I lead
Credit Suisse’s investment banking team
covering the infrastructure and utilities
sectors in Australia.
WHAT HAS BEEN A HIGHLIGHT
OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE?
The highlight for me has been advising a
variety of clients on landmark transactions.
For example, in 2016 we advised Future
Fund, Global Infrastructure Partners, QIC
and Borealis on their consortium acquisition
of the Port of Melbourne for around $9.7
billion.
We also advised IFM Investors on the sale
of a renewable energy company, Pacific
Hydro, for around $3 billion to a Chinese
state-owned enterprise. Helping and
advising clients execute significant M&A
transactions is exciting, challenging and
rewarding.
WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO
BOND?
Bond offered an accelerated timeline to
complete my degrees, as well as exposure
to a new and business-oriented curriculum.
The opportunity for greater independence
and a Gold Coast lifestyle was naturally very
attractive too.
WHAT IS YOUR FONDEST
MEMORY OF BOND?
The people, and the friendships. It was an
inspiring time to be immersed in a learning
culture with so many opportunities for
personal development, while at the same
Nicholas Schiffer
Bachelor of Commerce and Laws
time making great friends. I have many
fond memories of Bond.
WHERE ARE YOU HEADED NOW?
I am a father of four with a great family
and a successful career. I’ve established a
successful reputation and footprint as an
investment banker. I look forward to new
opportunities in 2017, whatever form they
may be.
Chair at Ryerson University with most of my
time dedicated to research. My focus is on
telecommunications policy, investigating
issues such as internet access, digital
literacy and inclusion.
One of the key findings is that there is still
a long way to go to ensure everyone can
participate in society using digital tools.
Although there is reasonable access to the
internet in cities in Canada and Australia,
some people don’t have the skill sets to do
what they need to do online.
More importantly, even with the
investments that have been made, many
households still don’t have affordable high
quality internet, making it difficult to roll
out nationwide services or engage with
people using online technology.
I continue to research digital inclusion as
an Adjunct Professor at the University of
Canberra, and am also studying the rollout
of high-speed public Wi-Fi in Australia as
part of a project led by RMIT University.
WHAT IS YOUR CAREER
HIGHLIGHT?
It is having the opportunity and privilege
to have held a Canada Research Chair. It is
a 10-year position and I am coming to the
end of that now.
I have had the opportunity to dig deeply
into understanding how people access
telecommunications services and how to
improve their access.
WHAT IS YOUR FONDEST
MEMORY OF YOUR TIME THERE?
For me, having been part of the
establishment of Bond and helping to build
it from the ground up.
WHERE ARE YOU HEADED NOW?
When I finish as Canada Research Chair I
will continue my position as Professor at
Ryerson University.
www.arch.bond.edu.au
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