CEO and Co-Founder of Swillhouse Anton Forte has officially vacated the top job of the hospitality group he built, but he hasn’t departed the management team.
Good Food reports an email was sent to Swillhouse staff last Friday announcing the group’s new CEO: former Etymon Projects CEO Lisa Hobbs. The email also stated that Forte had moved into the newly created position of managing director.
Hobbs led Etymon Projects for just over four years, overseeing the development of nine venues including Loulou, The Charles, Poetica, and newly opened North Sydney restaurants Sol, Soluna, Genzo, and Una Providore. She was also the director of Women in Hospitality from 2016 until 2021.
According to Hobbs’ LinkedIn profile, she finished up with Etymon in September and has yet to begin her official tenure at Swillhouse.
The new CEO was tight-lipped on her plans for the future of the group, but told Good Food she would prioritise staff.
“As CEO, I will be responsible for day-to-day operations of the entire business, with Anton moving into more of an oversight role,” she said.
While Forte has stepped aside, Swillhouse executives Toby Hilton and Jordan McDonald have departed the group following the bombshell allegations of sexual assault and harassment uncovered by an investigation led by The Sydney Morning Herald and Good Food.
The news rocked the landscape, with the collective hospitality industry rallying together to demand better for workers.
Forte issued an apology on Instagram after the story was published, with the company later sending out an email to subscribers noting the changes it had made within the business including the appointment of new senior figures — one of who was described as: “one of the most respected female leaders in the industry”.
“As the former CEO of a leading hospitality company and a renowned champion of women in hospitality, she will bring her extensive experience — plus independence and honesty — to review our entire operations and guide us on how and where we need to change,” the email read.
The group also said it had engaged consultants specialising in culture and transformation and workplace health and safety.
