Nigel Austin is an established entrepreneur engaged in diverse industry and business areas in Sri Lanka. Together with fellow businessman Sohli Captain, Nigel established Nisol Diamonds Pvt Limited, a diamond cutting and polishing firm, in 1988. Nigel is a founding Member of the Sri Lanka Diamond Manufacturers Association (SLDMA) and is currently President of the SLDMA.

Since 1984, Nigel has acted as the exclusive agent for Sri Lanka for ISCOR – now Arcelor-Mittal South Africa –a leading South African steel producer. Nigel also owns Nidro Supply (Pvt) Ltd., an exporter of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Due to multiple business connections with South Africa, in 1999, during the presidency of Nelson Mandela, Nigel was appointed as South Africa’s Honorary Consul. With a permanent South African embassy established in Sri Lanka in 2006, Nigel was honored with the appointment as South Africa’s Resident High Commissioner on the island.

In addition, he has held positions on the Boards of several publicly quoted companies such as Finlays PLC, Richard Peiris, LOLC, Asian Hotels and Properties Limited, Dutch Lanka Trailers, and was Chairman of Asia Capital PLC. Nigel Austin is a past Chairman and Trustee of the Employers Federation of Ceylon, the employer constituent in Sri Lanka for the International Labour Organization (ILO). Nigel Austin is a Past President and current Trustee of the Dutch Burgher Union of Ceylon (DBU). He was elected President in 2008 when the Union celebrated its centenary.