Born in Renmark, Nick’s early life was a whirlwind tour of Australia, having called Renmark, Wagga Wagga, Hobart, and Adelaide home, all before the age of 10. After a colourful adolescence and a teaching degree, he traded the chalkboard for hospitality.

For years Nick was immersed in the world of bars, cafes, and brewing, owning his own café and bar in Perth in the late 80’s.  He soon found himself drawn to the wine industry and in 1998, after a stint in New Zealand, Nick joined Yalumba and spend the next 20 years working to align people management and leadership practices with business strategy.

With a passion for people and a keen interest in the behavioural sciences, Nick helped shape the Barossa wine industry’s future. He served on the SA Wine Industry Associations’ Employee Relations Committee for 20 years, with 8 of those as Chair. He chaired the Wine industry National Education and Training Council and was a board member of the Co-operative Research Centre for Viticulture.

Nick’s commitment to our community is equally impassioned.  From chairing the Barossa Community Creche Management Committee in the early 2000s, to leading Barossa Touch Football through a major transformation, his contributions have left a lasting impact.

He designed and established the Barossa Leadership program originally instigated by Barons James Lindner and James Wark and in 2016, Nick was selected to chair Foundation Barossa, handing over the reins in 2021.

Currently Nick is director of his own people consulting business, AltoPEOPLE