Lachlan Colquhoun

Lachlan Colquhoun: A Four-Decade Odyssey in Global Financial Journalism

With a career spanning 40+ years across three continents, Lachlan Colquhoun has established himself as a preeminent voice in business and financial journalism. His work combines granular sector analysis with macroeconomic insights, particularly focused on Australasian markets and their global connections.

Career Evolution: From Cadet to Trans-Tasman Authority

• 1980s Foundation: Began as cadet at Adelaide Advertiser, mastering local business reporting fundamentals
• 1990s Globalization: London Evening Standard's Asia business correspondent (Hong Kong base), covering handover era
• 2000s Diversification: ABC Radio National producer/documentarian, developing audio storytelling techniques
• 2010s Specialization: BRW Magazine/AFR focus on corporate strategy and regulatory impacts
• 2020s Consolidation: NBR's Sydney-based NZ-Australia economic analyst since 2023

Definitive Works: Three Pillars of Financial Journalism

• "ASB Profit Climbs Higher, Politicians Mull Bank Competition" This 2025 NBR analysis dissects ASB Bank's record NZ$1.4B profit through three lenses: COVID-era loan loss reversals, RBNZ capital adequacy reforms, and political calls for competition law overhauls. Colquhoun employs rare interview access to ASB CEO Vittoria Shortt alongside anonymized regulator sources to reveal tensions between profit generation and public expectations. The piece's lasting impact lies in its predictive analysis of Australia's "Consumer Data Right" framework as a model for NZ banking reforms.
• "What's New Zealand's Roadmap for Tax Reform?" In this 2023 Acuity Mag deep dive, Colquhoun architects a 15-year fiscal sustainability blueprint. Through interviews with 22 experts including IRD policy architects and OECD advisors, he maps the political viability of capital gains tax implementation against historical precedents like NZ's 1986 GST introduction. The article's innovative "reform scorecard" matrix evaluates options by revenue potential, public acceptance, and implementation complexity - later adopted by Treasury in long-term briefings.
• "New Westpac Technology to Lock Out Scammers" This 2024 fintech exposé details Westpac's A$120M investment in AI-powered fraud detection systems. Colquhoun's forensic breakdown of mule account identification algorithms combines C-suite strategy interviews with rare access to cybersecurity labs. The piece sparked industry-wide debates about privacy vs protection, cited in subsequent APRA guidance on transactional AI ethics.

Strategic Pitching Guide

1. Cross-Border Regulatory Impacts

Colquhoun prioritizes stories examining how AU/NZ policy changes create ripple effects across the Tasman. His NBR analysis of Australia's Consumer Data Right framework influencing NZ Open Banking proposals exemplifies this focus. Pitches should highlight regulatory arbitrage opportunities or compliance challenges affecting multinational firms.

2. Long-Term Fiscal Sustainability

With 18+ articles on intergenerational economic policy, successful pitches must address multi-decade challenges. The Acuity Mag tax reform piece demonstrates his preference for scenarios combining Treasury projections, demographic shifts, and political feasibility analysis.

3. Corporate Governance Innovations

His Westpac cybersecurity analysis reflects interest in boardroom tech investments. Ideal pitches involve CISO/CRO interviews about risk management budgets or case studies of governance framework overhauls post-scandal.

4. Historical Economic Parallels

Leverage Colquhoun's history background (medieval/20th century expertise) by drawing parallels between current events and past crises. His 2023 NBR comparison of inflation dynamics to 1970s wage-price spirals demonstrates this approach.

5. SME Banking Challenges

While avoiding "how-to" content, he explores structural SME financing issues. The MYOB Pulse series on supply chain finance gaps shows successful angles combining lender data with operator experiences.

Awards and Industry Recognition

Trans-Tasman Business Circle Fellowship

Awarded in 2022 for series examining ANZAC economic interdependence during COVID supply chain disruptions. The judging panel noted "unprecedented access to cross-border trade data and ministerial sources." This annual award recognizes journalism strengthening Australia-NZ business ties.

CA ANZ Excellence in Financial Reporting

2021 recipient for investigative series on IFRS 17 insurance accounting changes. Colquhoun's six-month analysis of life insurers' balance sheet impacts set new benchmarks for technical journalism accessibility.