From escaping civil war in Sri Lanka at just six years old, to building one of the most successful automation start-ups in Australia and New Zealand, Nishan Wijemanne has lived a business journey defined by resilience, reinvention and relentless curiosity.

In this episode, we trace Nishan’s extraordinary path — from his early years in Christchurch, to his foundational training at Dematic, one of the world’s largest logistics automation companies, and then to founding Cohesio Group. Cohesio quickly became a market leader, securing major clients such as The Reject Shop, Kmart and Wesfarmers’ Officeworks, and forging a groundbreaking partnership with Chinese robotics giant Geek+, before being acquired by German technology conglomerate Körber in 2019.

Nishan then teamed up again with long-time collaborator Rizan Mawzoon to launch Shiperoo in 2023 — a next-generation fulfilment and returns platform using robotics, automation and a modern tech stack to give retail brands an Amazon-level customer experience without becoming Amazon themselves. Today, Shiperoo is backed by Australia Post, and supported by industry leaders including John King, Paul Greenberg and Gary Starr.

We unpack the lessons Nishan learned building and selling Cohesio, the turning point that made him realise the returns economy was the next frontier of ecommerce logistics, and his views on the future of AI, automation and robotics in global supply chains.

Whether you’re in retail, ecommerce, logistics, robotics or leadership — or you simply enjoy stories of grit and ambition — this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host, James H Stewart, or the production team behind What I Learned in Business (That Didn’t Kill Me!). This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute business, financial, investment or professional advice. Listeners should seek their own independent advice before making decisions based on the content of this episode. All business examples, company references and personal experiences are presented in good faith and are based on publicly available information or the guest’s personal account. No responsibility is taken for any errors, omissions or changes in factual circumstances after the date of recording.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, James sits down with Bruce Carter AO, one of Australia’s most respected commercial advisors and arguably South Australia’s “Mr Fix-It”. Over more than three decades, Bruce has become the person governments, boards and business leaders call when the stakes are high and commercial pragmatism is in demand.

Bruce built his career in corporate restructuring and insolvency as a young partner at EY before founding Ferrier Hodgson’s Adelaide office. From there he became pivotal in some of South Australia’s biggest corporate challenges — Harris Scarfe’s collapse, the Elders refinancing, and government advisory roles on the Port Pirie smelter, Whyalla steelworks, the Olympic Dam expansion, and more. In 2021 he was appointed to the Board of Crown Resorts as it faced an existential reputational crisis and three Government Royal Commissions.

In this wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation, Bruce talks through:

• His early life, influences and pathway to becoming a restructuring and insolvency professional
• Two decades as an Australian Rules football umpire — and how quick decisions under pressure shaped his business instincts
• The collapse of Harris Scarfe — including the discovery of two sets of books, unreliable records, and the race to rebuild the business
• Elders’ turbulent GFC period — eight banks, competing agendas, and a 2.5-year workout that pushed the business to the edge
• His mid-career pivot and personal tragedy — the sudden loss of his wife Briony, and how it changed his life and direction
• Whyalla’s collapse, the economic shockwaves, and the complexity of saving a regional community’s largest employer
• Crown Resorts in 2021 — what it was like inside Australia’s most scrutinised boardroom during three simultaneous Royal Commissions and 110 board meetings in a single year
• His principles for dealing with extreme complexity and stakeholder chaos
• How he approaches modern governance — integrity, transparency, humility, and never losing touch with the real business

Bruce’s reflections are candid, thoughtful and packed with lessons for leaders, directors and anyone navigating high-pressure decisions.

This is a rare window into the mindset of someone who has helped steer companies, governments and communities through their most pivotal moments.

The views expressed in this episode are personal opinions only and do not represent the views of any organisation, board, government body or company with which Bruce Carter AO or James H. Stewart is or has been associated. Nothing in this episode constitutes financial, legal or professional advice. Listeners should seek their own independent advice before making any decisions based on the topics discussed.

Contact James

Website: jameshstewart.com

Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-h-stewart-gaicd-83b46a9/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Iain Nairn walks into a room, he brings over 40 years of global retail experience — and a lifetime of lessons in leadership, resilience, and reinvention.

From his early days with Laura Ashley in the UK to record-breaking years at Country Road Group, a short but powerful stint at David Jones, and a complete digital reinvention of Hudson’s Bay in Canada, Iain has led through every challenge retail can throw at you — turnarounds, acquisitions, cultural clashes, and even a global pandemic.

But its not all beer and skittles. In this conversation, we unpack:

• The challenges of managing the multi platform, multi geographic model of Laura Ashley
• The success of Witchery and Country Rd when they were powerhouses of Australian retail
• The challenges of business model transformation under pressure
• The transformation of David Jones under new ownership — and why he chose to leave at the height of its success
• The reinvention of Hudson’s Bay, one of the world’s oldest retailers, into a modern digital marketplace.
• What leadership really looks like when pressure is relentless, the future is uncertain, and you still have to inspire people to perform.

It’s a powerful look inside the mind of a CEO who’s led billion-dollar brands, faced boardroom politics head-on, and still believes retail is a human story — not just a balance sheet.

For more insights, episode notes, and behind-the-scenes content, visit jameshstewart.com

or connect on LinkedIn.

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest and host and do not represent the views of any organisation, employer, or affiliate.

All information is provided for general discussion and educational purposes only and should not be relied upon as professional advice.

Listeners should seek independent guidance before making any business, financial, or investment decisions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.