Nigel Dews

Nigel recently joined OneVentures as Operating Partner (Technology). Nigel’s experience encompasses over 16 years in leadership roles, often leading high growth start-ups, and 9 years in strategy consulting. Nigel has been a leader in the digital media, technology and telecommunications industries as CEO of Vodafone Hutchison Australia, 3 Mobile, and the first Chief Executive of the Fairfax Media digital business. Most recently, Nigel was CEO of Melbourne-based technology scale-up, Message Media, leading the strategy development and execution to rapidly grow via acquisitions, new products and geographic expansion.

Nigel initially worked at the Reserve Bank of Australia and then after completing an MBA at London Business School spent five years in strategy consulting with McKinsey & Company. At McKinsey, Nigel worked in the Sydney, New York and London offices predominantly advising financial services, telecommunications, technology and consumer goods clients on strategy and organisational issues.

After leaving McKinsey, Nigel was involved in the beginning of the digital media revolution in Australia. He built and led the start-up of Fairfax Digital for its first seven years, taking it through to break-even. He led the building of a diverse portfolio of organically grown, joint ventured and acquired digital businesses.

In 2003 Nigel joined Hutchison Telecoms Australia (HTA) as Director of Marketing, Sales and Product for the new 3 Mobile business; building the capabilities and systems, growing and leading the team for customer facing functions of 3. In 2007 he became CEO of HTA and 3 Mobile. As CEO, Nigel lead 3 Mobile through a period of rapid growth and cultural change to become a profitable multi-billion dollar business with industry leading products and a well-regarded brand. In 2009 he led the merger and integration of 3 with Vodafone, remaining as CEO of the merged entity for its first 3 years.

Nigel then became Senior Telecommunications Advisor to the Managing Director of Hong Kong based CK Hutchison Holdings, one of Asia's most successful global conglomerates. During that time he led the start-up of a pan-European cloud-based telecommunications infrastructure business, Hue (Hutchison Global Enabling Services) based in London.

In 2013 Nigel joined strategy consultants Port Jackson Partners (PJP) as a Director and shareholder leading strategy projects across a range of industries in Australia, New Zealand, United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom. This included work with CEOs of fast growing digital businesses, digital and technology strategies, media, infrastructure, agriculture and international growth initiatives.

Nigel joined Message Media in 2017 to scale-up and transform the business from a single region, single product, single shareholder business via a substantial investment in technology, people, new processes and platforms, and acquisitions, culminating in a significant Private Equity investment.

Nigel joined OneVentures as Venture Partner in April 2019 in a part-time capacity to predominantly to work with our digital and technology-based portfolio businesses. He is also on the board of telecommunications infrastructure start-up Stilmark Telecommunications.

Nigel has a first class Honours Degree in Economics from James Cook University and a Masters of Business Administration from London Business School (with Distinction).