Ex-PwC Sydney managing partner Adam Lai takes on top role at Nido Education

Former PwC Sydney managing partner and company veteran Adam Lai has taken up a new job as the chief executive of early childcare and education group Nido, according to an ASX statement.

Lai, who joined PwC just shy of two decades ago, only recently replaced former Sydney managing partner Sue Horlin, who was promoted to head of assurance in a board reshuffle at the behest of incoming boss Kevin Burrowes.

As per Nido’s submission to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), Lai joined the company as CEO on the 10th of February, succeeding interim chief and founder Mathew Edwards, and is now set to earn at least $1 million per year.

“We’re delighted to attract someone of Adam’s calibre at a time when we intend to grow significantly over the next five to eight years,” said Nido chair Mark Kerr. “Adam brings the skills and experience needed to lead us through the opportunities and complexities that come with such growth, and his appointment reflects our optimism for the business and what we intend to become.”

Lai crosses to Nido after first joining PwC from Telstra in 2006, before then being admitted to its partnership just six years in. During his time at the firm, Lai was a senior leader across a number of practices covering healthcare, transport, and financial services among others, and also served as global head of customer transformation solutions prior to becoming Sydney managing partner.

“Nido Education is very well positioned with great people, capabilities, and a unique model that means it can extend the positive impact it has on students and their families, educators and those who work here,” Lai said upon joining the company, which currently operates more than 100 childcare centres across Australia with ambitious plans to double that number in the short-tem.

Lai’s departure furthers a recent state-based leadership transition at PwC, with Perth managing partner Michelle Tremain having exited last year to become CEO of property developer Fini Group and Adelaide boss Jamie Briggs among the exodus to Scyne Advisory. Former Canberra leader Stephanie Males was also among that group, with both having since left the breakaway advisory.

Speaking with the AFR, Lai concluded; “The opportunity came up for me to take on a new role that would allow me to use the skills I’ve developed in customer experience at PwC. The reality is I’ve been at the firm for almost 20 years and this is really about evolving. I’ve helped steer organisations through transformation and change, and it’ll be wonderful to do that in a leadership position.”