Meet the South Aussies carrying on their family legacies - and forging new paths
From leading the next generation of their family business to heading off on a different path these South Aussies are making their family name proud.
SA Weekend
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South Australia is bursting with highly accomplished family dynasties whose younger generations are carrying on their legacy.
Whether they’re influencing the next generation of their family’s business or forging a new path for themselves these individuals are examples of South Aussie talent boosting various industries across the state.
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Get to know these 28 top guns who are achievers in their own right below.
Bec Hardy
Co-owner & Vigneron at Bec Hardy Wines
With 172 years of family winemaking proceeding her, Bec Hardy established her own label alongside husband, Richard, ten years ago.
Ms Hardy’s pathway into the industry was less than glamorous and started with her cleaning bathrooms at her family’s Petaringa cellar door at 18.
These humble beginnings earned her a place in the vineyard and she went on to study viticulture.
These experiences have made her a big believer in learning from the ground up.
“If you want to work in wine or hospitality, roll up your sleeves and get stuck in,” Ms Hardy said.
“Make mistakes, ask questions, and stay curious.”
Despite her family’s incredible legacy, the 42-year-old is intent on forging her own path.
“The Hardy name is a platform, not a blueprint,” Ms Hardy said.
“My goal is to honour their spirit while carving out something new and meaningful for our generation and the next.”
Charles Haigh
Sales Optimisation Manager at Haigh’s Chocolates
One of South Australia’s most iconic brands and arguably the nation’s best chocolate makers, Haigh’s Chocolates is a favourite in any South Aussie household.
5th generation Haigh, Charles Haigh stepped into the role of Sales Optimisation Manager during the Covid-19 pandemic.
With a background in accounting and corporate finance Mr Haigh admitted he felt “drawn” to fast moving consumer goods companies.
He said “conversations (he) heard around the dinner table growing up and the enjoyment of working with a tangible product” boosted his interest.
“It always makes me happy when I see someone walking down the street holding a Haigh’s bag with a smile on their face,” Mr Haigh said.
“Haigh’s Chocolates will always focus on the premium chocolate and great service that we are known for, working hard to delight current and future generations of chocolate lovers.”
Nathan Gillard
Owner & Managing Director / Finance & Mortgage Broker at Pathway Finance
Nathan Gillard tried to avoid the finance industry for most of his 20s, but eventually found himself called to the life of a broker.
“I realised that being a broker was the ideal role for me as it combined what I am naturally good at (numbers) with my love of talking to people and being social,” Mr Gillard said.
After gaining experience in several roles across the finance sector Mr Gillard joined his father, Peter Gillard at his business, Pathway Finance.
Mr Gillard has since taken over from dad and is now the proud owner and managing director.
He said his biggest challenge is “impostor syndrome”.
“(A challenge I have faced is) not feeling as though I’ve had the family business “handed” to me,” the 25-year-old said.
“As (dad), together with my stepmum Sue, pulls away with their caravan on the next adventure, I hope he knows the business and all his Pathway clients are in the same good hands with me and our team of brokers.”
Genevieve Toop
Owner/Director of TOOP+TOOP
Following in the footsteps of her parents, Anthony and Sylvia Toop, Genevieve Toop took over the reins of one of Adelaide’s most well-known real estate agencies, TOOP+TOOP in 2019.
Alongside her husband, Bronte Manuel, Ms Toop has brought the firm into a new generation.
Her experience at the inaugural San Franciso AI Conference in 2023 inspired the creation of TOOP+TOOP’s in-house AI assistant, TOOP.IE which is ensuring that the company remains at “the forefront of the industry”.
Outside of the office, Ms Toop and Mr Manuel host a weekly Real Estate Radio show on FIVEaa, providing listeners with their expert insight into South Australia’s real estate market.
John-Paul “JP” Drake
Director of Drakes Supermarkets
You would be hard pressed to find a more vivacious personality than John-Paul “JP” Drake in the South Australian business scene.
Son of Drakes Supermarkets founder, Roger Drake, the face of the company is well known for his social media stunts and tough stance on shoplifting,
He is a passionate South Australian who boasts more than 150,000 followers on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.
“I think Dad’s one of my No. 1 fans, he watches all the content, he’ll give me feedback on it. He quite likes someone sticking it up the duopoly that we live in,” JP told The Advertiser in July last year.
JP is carrying the supermarket chain into the future thanks to the help of his young workforce who he treats like family.
“I love seeing the young crew – nothing wrong with the old ones – but seeing people grow as a career,” JP said.
“And who knows what’s going to happen in the next 50 years because it’s been such a wild ride to get us where we are today.”
Andrew Cooper
Executive Director at Coopers
A sixth-generation Cooper, Andrew Cooper was appointed a Director of the popular brewery in 2023.
Mr Cooper, who has worked in the family business since 2017, holds an MBA and Bachelor of Economics degree from the University of Adelaide and a Diploma of Applied finance.
In his senior management position, Mr Cooper oversees “the brewery’s key national on-premise accounts” as well as Coopers’ export markets.
Sara Shahin
Tax Lawyer at Hall & Wilcox, Melbourne
Adelaide billionaire Sam Shahin’s eldest daughter Sara is making waves as a tax lawyer at top Australian law firm, Hall & Wilcox.
Based in Melbourne, Ms Shahin has climbed the ladder starting as a paralegal at the leading firm in 2021.
According to her LinkedIn profile, Ms Shahin studied a Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice at Flinders University which she completed in 2022.
Outside of her successful working life, Ms Shahin tied the knot with her long-term partner, Jonas Humaidi in January this year.
The glamorous affair was held in the EOS by SkyCity ballroom with Australian music royalty, Guy Sebastian flying into the state for a special performance.
Her father, Dr Shahin, is managing director of The Bend Motorsport Park and whose family founded the OTR empire.
Riley Ahrens
General Manager – Commercial & Investment at Ahrens
Fifth generation family business, Ahrens is a national full-service construction, engineering, rural infrastructure and mining services company.
Riley Ahrens came on board in 2021 after completing a Bachelor of Commerce (Liberal Studies), Accounting, Chinese and International Business at the University of Sydney in 2020.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Mr Arhens has been involved in multiple high level transactions both nationally and across the globe.
He recently assisted in an expansion project in Texas, in the United States.
Ellen Ahrens
General Manager – Brand & Culture at Ahrens
Riley’s sister, Ellen has also joined the family business overseeing the company’s brand and culture portfolio.
With a background in commerce and marketing, Ms Ahrens has worked her way up through the ranks originally starting at Ahrens as an administration officer.
She has also previously worked for luxury retreat, Kingsford The Barossa, in its marketing department.
Luke and Holly Marquis
Winemakers – Don’t Tell Mum
Brother sister duo, Luke and Holly Marquis have recently started their wine label ‘Don’t Tell Mum’.
As the children of owner and chief winemaker at Mollydooker, Sarah Marquis, the pair know a thing or two about good wine.
They launched their project earlier this year with the simple motto – “wine without fuss”.
“We want to reframe wine for young people, and make it so it’s not about having to think about tasting notes or what food you can have it with,” Ms Marquis told The Advertiser in April.
“Do whatever you want with it, there’s no rules,” Mr Marquis added.
Tilda Cobham-Hervey
Hollywood Actress
She may be on the big screen now but Hollywood actor, Tilda Cobham-Hervey still maintains close connections to her home town of Adelaide.
Ms Cobham-Hervey is the daughter of South Australian theatre legend, the late Roz Hervey and Patch Theatre Artistic Director, Geoff Cobham.
Her talent has secured her roles in feature films and more recently, Netflix’s hit show Apple Cider Vinegar.
Her performance of ‘Lucy’ earned her a nomination for a Silver Logie for Best Supporting Actress at this year’s Logies which will be held in August.
John Young
Young Real Estate SA
Son of Stephen Young, executive director and managing director of Tasmea Limited, John Young has forged his own path in the world of real estate.
He is the principal director of his own boutique real estate agency, Young Real Estate based in Dulwich.
The real estate agent and active property developer, Mr Young also holds a Bachelor of Business majoring in Property and enjoys helping his clients achieve positive outcomes.
Oliver Sheahan
Principal Lawyer at Sheahan Lock Partners
Working under his father John Sheahan, Oliver Sheahan is a registered liquidator, solicitor and chartered accountant.
He joined the Sheahan Lock Partners team in 2010 and has managed a range of high level and complex matters.
As a principal lawyer with a background in accounting, Mr Sheahan is well-placed to assist clients in all types of corporate and personal insolvency administrations.
Andrew Kittle
CEO of Peter Kittle Motor Company
With dealerships across the state, Andrew Kittle has followed in the footsteps of his father, Peter Kittle who founded the Peter Kittle Motor Company in 1988.
His involvement in the business started as a teenager when he would help sweep floors and do stocktake after school and on the weekends.
These days, Mr Kittle’s responsibilities look a little different but he continues to be a passionate advocate for the communities he services and upholds the business’s partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Brandon Reynolds
Chief Operating Officer of The Yoghurt Shop
A family-run business started from a single Central Market stall in 2003 has grown into a global enterprise.
The Yoghurt Shop founded by Simon Reynolds boasts partnerships with major supermarket chains, convenience stores and Qantas Airlines.
Brandon Reynolds was appointed chief operating officer in 2022 and has assisted in the company’s international growth.
Mr Reynolds also helped establish a new advisory board chaired by Barossa Fine Foods executive chair and former state Transport Minister Stephan Knoll in May.
“Simon, my dad, has been at the coalface for a long time, and we’re looking at how to sustainably grow this business beyond just our family,” he told The Advertiser.
The Paech Family
Beerenberg
Originally founded by immigrants George and Anna Paech, Beerenberg has a rich history of more than 200 years in South Australia.
Known for their delicious strawberries and tasty jams and preserves, Beerenberg is still 100 per cent family owned.
These days, sixth-generation Paech’s Carol, Anthony, Robert and Sally are at the helm and proudly continue their tradition of “farming, land stewardship and food craftsmanship”.
The Knoll Brothers
Barossa Fine Foods
From a single shop founded in 1991, Barossa Fine Foods has grown into a well-respected quality producer of smallgoods.
With more than 25 years of experience, family are still heavily involved in the day-to-day running of their eight retail outlets and factory facility with brothers, Andreas, Alex and Dieter now in charge.
Alex Knoll is the company’s business development manager while Dieter oversees operations and Andreas occupies the role of chief executive.
The siblings oversaw Barossa Fine Foods’ rebrand in 2018 with the popular brand stocked in every Australian state.
The Mucklow Family
Class A Jewellers
Artisans of fine jewellery, Class A Jewellers was founded on Valentine’s Day in 1972.
Brad Mucklow bought the business in 1999 and built the renowned luxury brand into what it is today.
The doyen said he now takes “a back seat” and his four sons run the show along with a staff of more than 20 committed individuals.
Sam Mucklow
Eldest Mucklow brother, Sam is the business’s stock manager, jewellery valuer and jeweller.
He completed a four year apprenticeship as a jewellers before becoming a gemmologist and jewellery valuer.
Zac Mucklow
26-year-old Zac Mucklow divides his time between being Class A’s Chief Financial Officer and running Yolk Cafe located next door to the jewellery store.
“Understanding numbers is critical in hospitality or any business, and felt like I had value to add to Class A in this respect,” Mr Mucklow said.
Ben Mucklow
The third Mucklow brother, Ben is Class A’s workshop manager.
He first joined the business after year 12 when his dad encouraged him to help out with some polishing during the Christmas break.
“From there I picked up jewellery and hand making like it was a hobby and from that point on it was full steam ahead in trying to improve the business as best as possible from whatever I could do,” Mr Mucklow said.
Alongside his management responsibilities, Mr Mucklow is also a jeweller, stone setter, engraver and designer.
Josh Mucklow
The youngest Mucklow brother, Josh also joined the family business after feeling “pretty stuck” after year 12.
“I ended up doing a jewellery design course, my workload started to grow, and now here I am,” Mr Mucklow said.
At 21-years-old, Mr Mucklow is Class A’s operations manager.
Like his brothers, he hopes to carry on the family legacy and “grow the brand into something really special”.
Marie Chittleborough
Chief Executive, EQUALS International
Independent education provider, EQUALS International was founded by Marie Chittleborough’s mother in 1991.
She said the company is like “a fifth sibling” as they have “grown together”.
After working in government and manufacturing, Ms Chittleborough found her calling in the education and training space, coming on board with EQUALS in 2021.
“My mother’s vision for EQUALS was founded on the values of unity, diversity, and
gender equality – principles that continue to guide us,” Ms Chittleborough said.
“My goal is to continue uplifting those on the margins, especially women, migrants,
and under-represented communities, and ensure that EQUALS remains a force for good in
the world.”