A fond farewell to our Head of Partnerships, Malcolm Nixon.
Malcolm Nixon, Head of Partnerships at International Towers, has been with us since before we opened the doors in 2015, caring for and collaborating with our tenant partners, curating experiences and building relationships which are the foundation of our wonderful community.
After nearly 47 years in the workforce, Malcolm has decided the time is right to retire. We asked Malcolm to reflect on his achievements at the towers, share some favourite memories, and introduce the new Head of Partnerships who will continue building on the strong foundations he has helped create.
Community & continuity
For Malcolm, the last ten years have always been about more than buildings, services, or events. At the heart of his approach has been a simple but powerful idea.
“One of the things that’s always driven me,” he says, “is that the goal is to leave a place better than you found it. Not because it wasn’t already good, but because you’ve added something meaningful to the community.”
That principle has guided everything Malcolm does, from day-to-day operations to large-scale partnerships and events. It’s also central to how he’s handled his own transition out of this pivotal role.
“This wasn’t a sudden decision,” Malcolm explains. “It’s been carefully considered and thoughtfully planned with the leadership team. The priority has always been continuity, making sure it’s business as usual during the transition and our tenant partners feel completely supported.”
Invisibility is the key
Much of what defines International Towers is intentionally unseen, something Malcolm takes particular pride in.
“We’re a bit like the crew of a premium cruise ship,” he says with a smile. “There’s a huge amount happening behind the scenes, but the experience for people using the towers should feel completely seamless.”
That seamlessness requires the coordination of hundreds of people and systems working together. Malcolm might make it seem easy, but it’s not.
“It’s hard work,” Malcolm admits. “There’s a lot of planning and collaboration across teams to maintain that invisibility.”
The wonders of waste
To lift the curtain on some of what happens behind the scenes at International Towers, Malcolm was a driving force behind our much-loved monthly waste and sustainability tours, where tenant partners are guided through the usually off-limits areas where the important business of dealing with our rubbish takes place.
“We started the tours to give tenant partners a chance to see the water treatment processes, and the cooling and waste systems. When people see the scale of what’s happening, it builds a real appreciation for the complexity and effort involved, and it’s a further example of our commitment to sustainability in every corner of International Towers.”
Moments that defined a decade
Asked what stands out most, Malcolm points first to the early days, and the sense of excitement that came with witnessing a new precinct finding its rhythm.
“One of the highlights back then was hosting TED Talk events,” he recalls. “We had hundreds of people coming together in a brand-new building, creating energy and ideas. That was pretty special.”
As the International Towers community grew, Malcolm focussed on initiatives that connected the precinct more deeply with the wider CBD.
“The Barangaroo Artisan Market would have to be one of the proudest achievements,” he says. “The idea came out of the pandemic, when the CBD really needed rejuvenating and reenergising. The Artisan Market brought people back in and made them happy to be here. And not just workers, but the broader community.”
The growth in popularity has been significant. “We recently had over 20,000 attend, with more than 70 stallholders. What started as a response to a difficult time has become something the precinct is known for.”
Equally important have been the partnerships that underpin many of these initiatives.
“I’m incredibly proud of the relationships we’ve built,” Malcolm says. “Whether it’s with Reconciliation NSW, the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, or organisations like ReLove and other cultural partners across the city. These partnerships create experiences that go far beyond what we could do alone.”
Home-grown standards
Malcolm’s reputation for accepting nothing but the highest of standards is well known throughout International Towers.
“That comes from my parents,” he says with another smile. “If you’re going to do something, you do it properly. If you’re offering something, you make it the best quality you can. Not necessarily the most expensive, but the best experience.”
That philosophy has shaped how partnerships and services are delivered at International Towers.
“It’s never been about throwing money at things,” Malcolm explains. “It’s about achieving the right outcome for tenant partners. Something thoughtful, well-executed, and genuinely valuable.”
Welcoming Cesar Ramirez
Following a nine-week handover, this week Cesar Ramirez will officially step into the Head of Partnerships role. And for Malcolm, Cesar is the perfect choice.
“Cesar understands premium service environments, and he already knows this community really well,” Malcolm explains. “That’s incredibly important, because half the challenge is understanding how our tenant partner organisations operate individually. They’re sophisticated, they have their own priorities, and our role is to support, not interfere.”
Having first connected with Cesar years ago through a tenant partner, Malcolm has seen firsthand how Cesar approaches relationships.
“He respects boundaries,” Malcolm says. “That’s critical. Knowing where we can add value and where we need to step back is a big part of the role.”
Cesar also brings complementary strengths.
“He’s a strong planner and very forward-looking,” Malcolm notes. “And he comes in with a fresh perspective, open to new ideas, willing to listen, and ready to build on what’s already here. Continuity with evolution is exactly what the precinct needs.”
What tenant partners can expect
For tenant partners, Malcolm is realistic about what change will look like.
“Of course things will change,” he says. “You don’t bring someone new in to keep everything exactly the same.”
But those changes, he emphasises, will be positive.
“The things that are working well will continue, and there will be new ideas and fresh approaches where they’re needed. No single person has all the answers, so having a new perspective is a true strength.”
Above all, the fundamentals will remain intact.
“The commitment to service, to partnership, and to supporting tenant success, that doesn’t change. That’s embedded in how this precinct operates.”
What’s next for Malcolm?
After decades of highly structured ways of working, Malcolm is intentionally taking a different approach to what comes next.
“My plan is not to plan, at least for a little while,” he says. “I want to let things unfold and take opportunities as they come.”
That said, a few themes are already emerging.
“There are some personal interests I’ve been putting off for years, including a few small building projects at home, a bit of travel, and lots of time in the garden.”
“I’d also love to spend more time working with some of the charities I’ve been connected to,” he tells us. “And there’s one in particular I’d like to find out more about at some point in the future, called ‘The Headstone Project’, which researches unmarked war graves to identify individuals and ensure they’re properly recognised.”
A future in safe hands
As he prepares to leave International Towers, Malcolm is reflective and grateful.
“It’s been a unique experience,” he says. “To finish my career in a place like this, within such an incredible community, I feel very fortunate.”
And while his time at the towers may be coming to an end, the impact of his excellent work - in partnerships, in culture, and in the everyday experience of the precinct - will continue.
For tenant partners, Malcolm’s final word is simple. “The future of the International Towers experience is in very capable hands, the foundations are super strong, and a really exciting next chapter is already well underway.”