Brian Schwartz AM awarded Honorary Doctorate of Letters

Brian Schwartz AM, our former Scentre Group Chair, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by Western Sydney University.

Speaking to the graduates in the School of Social Sciences Brian said: “I accept this Doctorate of Letters with enormous pride, deep humility and more than a little emotion.

“Thank you Western Sydney University. Not just for this honour, but for the work you do every day for the people of this community and beyond.”

Brian went on to share the impact of his own education: “I was the first person in my family to graduate from university.

“From that beginning, my wife and my children (and indeed, my children in-law) are all university educated, and three grandchildren are studying at university now, with more to come.

“Education changes everything, not just for you, but for those who come after you.

“That is why when I retired as Chairman of Scentre Group, the Group Chair Ilana Atlas and CEO Elliott Rusanow chose to mark the moment in a meaningful way by establishing scholarships in my name: the Brian Schwartz AM Scentre Group Scholarship for Excellence at Western Sydney University.

“Already two wonderful students have been selected from this community – a community which seeks to nurture the potential of migrants, first Australians and first-generation Australians – who remind me of where I once stood.”

In closing Brian encouraged the graduates of the day that: “you leave here with something no one can take from you. Use it well. Contribute to your community. Remember where you came from. Put people first. And go and do extraordinary things.”

Chancellor of Western Sydney University, Professor Jennifer Westacott AC offered her warm congratulations to Mr Brian Schwartz AM on receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Letters, and thanked him for his strong commitment to supporting students and expanding access to higher education.

“Western Sydney University is proud to recognise Mr Brian Schwartz AM for his national leadership, distinguished corporate governance career, and contribution to educational opportunity through the conferral of an Honorary Doctorate of Letters,” said Professor Westacott.

“Brian’s personal educational journey exemplifies the transformative power of higher education. His leadership and commitment to supporting students to achieve their aspirations, including through the Brian Schwartz AM – Scentre Group Scholarship for Excellence, are an inspiration to our community and reflect the values of excellence, equity, and opportunity that are central to the University.”

About the Brian Schwartz AM – Scentre Group Scholarship for Excellence

The Brian Schwartz AM – Scentre Group Scholarship for Excellence is a fully funded university scholarship. It will be awarded to up to four high-achieving undergraduate students over a six-year period.

The first recipient, announced in 2024, was Tully Lynch. Tully is using the fully funded scholarship to assist in the completion of his Bachelor of Clinical Science (Medicine) / Doctor of Medicine (MD) at Western Sydney University.

In 2025, Rihanna Zayed received the scholarship to assist in the completion of a Bachelor of Nursing at Western Sydney University.

The scholarship will be awarded to a third student in the 2026 academic year.

Western Sydney University was named number one in the world for its social, economic and environmental impact in the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings for the fourth consecutive year.

23 July 2024

Tully Lynch announced as first recipient

Brian Schwartz AM Scentre Group Scholarship for Excellence Western Sydney University

02 September 2025

Rihanna Zayed recipient of Brian Schwartz AM Scentre Group Scholarship

The fully funded scholarship will assist in the completion of a Bachelor of Nursing.

Biography - Mr Brian Schwartz AM

Former Scentre Group Chair

Brian Schwartz was the non-executive Chair of Scentre Group from 2016 to 2023. 

Brian’s career with Ernst & Young Australia spanned more than 25 years. He rose to the positions of Chair (1996 - 1998) and then CEO of the firm from 1998 to 2004. From 2005 to 2009, Brian was the CEO of Investec Bank (Australia) Limited.  He is a director of a Guardian Early Learning Group company, part of Partners Group, a global private markets investment manager.  Brian was previously Chair of Insurance Australia Group Limited, Deputy Chair of Westfield Corporation, Deputy Chair of Football Federation Australia Limited and a Director of Brambles Limited.