Old Scholar Business Networking: Peter Shearer boss suits up to host event

It has been more than 30 years since Dharmesh Raman graduated from Blackfriars, but his links to the school are stronger than ever.

Mr Raman, who was Blackfriars Head Prefect in 1992, still counts current Principal and fellow Class of 1992 graduate David Ruggiero among his friends.

In fact, Mr Raman, Mr Ruggiero and five others, all part of that 1992 cohort, still get together for an annual weekend away.

“I think it’s the shared values and how we’ve applied these values to life over the years that have strengthened our bond,” Mr Raman said of the group’s friendship.

“It’s also our sense of fun and feeling like teenagers when we get together; it’s kept us young even though our wives may wish for us to grow up!”

But Mr Raman’s connections to Blackfriars extend beyond friendship. He is Managing Director of iconic Adelaide business Peter Shearer Menswear, which employs five Blackfriars old scholars.

From the Class of 1992 are Raji Hamed, Francisco Lacar, Mark Iadanza, Oreste Farrugia, Principal David Ruggiero, Dharmesh Raman and Mohammed Hussein.

Now, Mr Raman is suiting up to host Blackfriars’ next Old Scholar Business Networking event at Peter Shearer’s Rundle Mall store, as well as being the evening’s guest speaker.

His Peter Shearer journey started only a year after leaving Blackfriars.

“I finished school, not really knowing what to do,” he said.

“A year later, I landed a casual position at Peter Shearer and was so excited – I loved fashion. I continued to work casually while at university for about 10 years, again, not really enjoying uni and moving from course to course, until the Managing Director at the time gave me an opportunity to manage the administration team.

“I loved combining fashion with management. One thing led to another and, in 2009, I became a Director and part-owner of the business. In 2017, I became Managing Director.”

Blackfriars old scholars and Peter Shearer employees, from left, Robin Tredrea (BPS’72), Jason Boruch (BPS’12), Reuben Calleja (BPS’23), Dharmesh Raman (BPS’92) and Martin Gilligan (BPS’00).

He said the Blackfriars old scholar employees brought something special to Peter Shearer.

“I think it’s the values they bring with them to working life,” Mr Raman said.

“Our company values of community and continuous learning align with the Dominican values of community and study. The value of ministry – service – adds to our value of customer experience. Blacks boys truly understand what serving others requires.”

Dharmesh Raman (BPS’92) is the Managing Director and a part-owner of Peter Shearer.

The biannual Old Scholar Business Networking events bring together old scholars from across more than 60 years and a wide range of professional backgrounds.

Previous guest speakers were Sean Tasker (BPS’85), the Head of Education & Sport with NeuroFlex, and Ross Calabria (BPS’99), who, with brother Joe (BPS’94), is co-owner of The Archer Hotel and creative production company Retail Ink.

Blackfriars Old Scholars & Community Officer Tahlia Maurer said the regular Business Networking events “further enhanced the sense of community among old scholars”, as well as providing attendees with the opportunity to make new connections.

“The strongest professional networks are built on shared experiences and what better foundation than your school?” Ms Maurer said.

Mr Raman was delighted to be able to host the upcoming event: “I think the Old Scholar Business Networking evenings are a great way for us to build our community and it gives me great pleasure in bringing together the Peter Shearer community with the Blackfriars community.”

Blackfriars Old Scholar Business Networking event, Wednesday, 4 June, Peter Shearer Menswear, Regent Arcade, 101 Rundle Mall, Adelaide, 6pm-8pm. Registrations open soon.