Profile - Andrew Chang

What are your strongest memories of NSBHS?
My main memories of school are:
1. My friends who hung out on the Headmasters lawn (principally being Michael Jones, Luke Tristram, John Affleck, Stephen Porter, David Katz, Craig Culpin, Peter Arender and David Hendy). I only see Michael Jones regularly now, however still catch up with Luke Tristram (when he is in the country) and Craig Culpin, Ben Teh and John Affleck on what seems to be the annual Christmas drinks get together.
2. The teachers who we had (Mr Johnstone (Social Sciences), Mr Dawson (Social Sciences), Mr Van Wensveen (Science), Mr Darling (Science), Mr Richards (maths), Mr Causer (English) - who I see around the city occasionaly in his Barrister robes.
3. Tormenting Luke Tristram. We used to step on his lunch, make him run "the gauntlet" where we would all have turns pushing him around, and burning him when he was in the shower on the Year 9(?) trip to Canberra. Not sure why we did all that! - Luke and I are still good friends (went to his wedding, but he missed mine).
Summarise briefly your life since school
Went to UNSW, studying Commerce, and had the luxury of David Hendy drive me to Uni for the first year. When I graduated I joined Price Waterhouse in the Audit and Business Services area (which I really enjoyed). Left there after about 5 years and joined the Australian operation of JP Morgan as the Business Group Controller for their Foreign Exchange, Interest Rate Risk Management and Credit areas. I resigned after 2 years after having one of those "self awareness" moments. I was in the office at 2am working away when my second in charge at the time looked at me, and she said "Why are we still here?". We decided that morning that we were going to go travelling together to see Europe and the USA. We resigned on the same day about a week later (which sparked lots of gossip and also caused grief to the firm) and travelled together for a good 4 months. It was great fun, and Danielle has since become one of my closest friends.
After getting back from overseas, I joined Bankers Trust/BT Financial Group as the Head of Business Risk Consulting (BRC) where my team provided risk consulting services and advice. I really enjoyed this job until the New York office blew itself up (not literally, but financially) and sold the Australian operations. Things went downhill from then, and I left after 5 years to join Commonwealth Bank as an Executive Manager in Finance and Risk Management (where I am now). My role at CBA means I support the Wealth Management and International Financial Services business of the Bank (which in a nutshell covers the Funds Management, Superannuation, Insurance and International operations of the Bank)
During the time I was working, I went on and did some extra study, obtaining my Chartered Accountant qualification (I am also on the NSW Council), a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance from Finsia (where I am also an Education Practitioner) and a Master of Management.
On the personal side I got married in 2003 to my lovely wife. Michael Jones had the honour of being my best man, and I am now "temporarily displaced" from the North Shore and living dwon South in Sans Souci, where I have a house fairly close to my in-laws. No kids, but I do have a cat!
Who are the most important people in your life today?
My wife (Hwee-Nee), family and friends.