Matthews family splits hotels portfolio as part of succession
One of the state’s biggest family-owned hotel groups has split its pubs empire as the family prepares for the fourth generation of hoteliers to join the business.
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One of the state’s biggest family-owned hotel groups has split its pubs portfolio as part of a succession plan designed to pave the way for a fourth generation of hoteliers.
As part of a deal struck between members of the Matthews family, siblings Lisa, Scott and Ward Matthews will retain ownership of seven hotels operated by the Matthews Hospitality group, including the Feathers, Maylands and Buckingham Arms hotels.
They will also retain the company name and brand.
Their uncle Guy and cousins Shaun, Brett and William will take over the Flagstaff and Mansfield Park hotels, with Guy, Brett and Shaun all stepping down as directors of Matthews
Hospitality.
Ms Matthews, who has two sons aged in their 20s, said it was the right time to implement a succession plan, ahead of the potential introduction of a fourth generation into the family business.
“Matthews Hospitality has a proud family history, legacy and values, and our succession plan is designed to preserve and honour these qualities for future generations,” she said.
“We love having family involved because we’re a family business, but we certainly understand it’s to the betterment of the business, and also the personal development of family members, to not come straight from school into the business.
“That’s where innovation comes from - sending them out into the world, seeing what they’re good at, what they love, what they’re passionate about, and if they can bring it back to the business that’s fantastic.”
The Matthews family has operated hotels in South Australia for more than 70 years, since family patriarch Seymour Matthews and wife Doris started investing during World War II.
The family is credited with offering the first counter meals in Australia, at the Largs Pier Hotel, the first drive-thru bottle shop, and the first smorgasbord – at the Buckingham Arms.
Other pubs to be retained within the Matthews Hospitality group include the Eyre Hotel in Whyalla and the Mount Gambier, Park and South Eastern hotels in Mount Gambier.
It also retains ownership of the Colhurst House B&B in Mount Gambier and the Witches Brew Liquor store in Salisbury.
As part of the new structure Andrew Kemp, who joined Matthews Hospitality as general manager in 2017, will take the reins as chief executive, overseeing more than 350 staff.
With each of the group’s venues reopening since the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, Mr Kemp believes the industry will play an important role reconnecting families and friends.
“Hotels play a pretty important role in terms of people’s wellbeing and the social connections they provide - we don’t see that changing,” he said.
“What changes is perhaps people’s discretionary spend and how willing they are to eat out and be entertained, but I think the basics of what we provide are pretty important.
“The industry’s definitely going to be impacted but hospitality will survive. It’s just what it will look like on the other side that might change.”
Brett Matthews, who led the award winning renovation of The Stirling Hotel in 2008, has partnered with prominent hoteliers Ed Peter and Martin Palmer on several pub investments in recent years.
This year the trio has added Nairne’s District Hotel and Naracoorte’s Kincraig Hotel to their portfolio, with plans for major upgrades. Brett said his focus remained on untapped opportunities in regional areas.
“We’ve got a good regional focus, popular regional towns,” he said.
“Mount Barker for example, there’s $4 billion of housing going in there by 2030 - that’s on steroids and we’re looking at a greenfield site out there, working with a local developer and the council.”
Last week Mr Matthews, Mr Peter and Mr Palmer confirmed their acquisition of The Lion Hotel in North Adelaide, with ambitions to ramp up investment in the state’s hospitality sector through the creation of Duxton Pubs Group.