One of South Australia’s largest family-owned hotel groups, Matthews Hospitality, has finalised its succession plan for the next generation of operators.
Plans have now been completed to divvy up Matthews Hospitality venues and the brand among the third generation of the family.
Matthews Hospitality was established during World War II by Seymour and Doris (Dossie) Matthews with the Bayview Hotel lease in Whyalla. The group has owned, operated and sold many iconic South Australian venues over the years, totalling 36 hotel licences and freeholds.
Seymour and Dossie had two sons, Tony and Guy. Lisa, Scott and Ward are the children of Tony, who passed away in March 2019. Shaun, Brett and William are the sons of Guy.
Siblings and directors Lisa, Scott and Ward Matthews are acquiring seven of the nine venues owned by Matthews Hospitality and will retain the company name and brand. Group General Manager Andrew Kemp is now CEO.
The Feathers, Maylands, Buckingham Arms, Eyre, Mount Gambier, Park and South Eastern Hotels, as well as Colhurst House B&B and Witches Brew Liquor, will remain a part of Matthews Hospitality.
Guy Matthews and his sons Shaun, Brett and William are acquiring the Flagstaff and Mansfield Park Hotels. Guy, Brett and Shaun will resign as directors of Matthews Hospitality.
Brett Matthews is also a director of the newly-formed Duxtons Hotel Group, alongside other respected hoteliers Ed Peter and Martin Palmer. They recently purchased the Lions Hotel in Adelaide as their first asset.
With the fourth generation of the Matthews family in their adolescence and early 20s, siblings Lisa, Scott and Ward said the time was right to enact a formal succession plan for the group.
“Every business needs a succession plan, and the timing was right to work with our family to achieve this.
“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.
“We remain focused on providing the same enjoyment and happiness to people who come into our hotels that our parents and grandparents did.”
The pubs have continued to operate as per normal throughout the shake-up.
“This succession plan will strengthen our family business so that we can continue to provide welcoming spaces and great customer experiences for decades to come.”
Image: (l-r) Scott, Ward and Lisa Matthews