The host is the head of equity research at Nomura International in Hong Kong. His area of specialization is the real estate sector. He worked as a professional property consultant for five years before entering the equities field in 1989. Prior to joining Nomura, Nichols was an Assistant Director of ING Barings (HK), responsible for property market research in Hong Kong and China, and a Manager at Crosby Securities (HK), also in charge of property research.

As well as holding an MBA and a Masters Degree in Applied Finance, Nichols also secured a LLB from the University of Peking via distance learning. Currently, he is undertaking his doctoral degree with the University of South Australia.

Nichols also authored "Real Estate Investment Strategy", a guide to property investment, published by Sing Tao Publishing in June 1989.