MEET THE TEAM
John Hewson
Chairman
Dr Hewson has had several careers in academia, public service, business, politics, and the media.
He is currently a Professor in the Crawford School of Public Policy at ANU, and an Adjunct Professor at Curtin, UTS, Canberra and Griffith Universities, having been Professor and Head of the School of Economics at UNSW, and Professor of Management and Dean Macquarie Graduate School of Management at Macquarie University.
He has worked for The Australian Treasury (Census and Statistics), the IMF, the Reserve Bank, the UN (UNESCAP), and the ADB, and often advises senior public servants.
In Business, he was a Founder of Macquarie Bank, Chairman of ABN Amro Australia, and Chair/Director of a host of public and private companies, with current positions in renewable energy, and funds management and investment banking.
He is Chair of the Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia and The Ocean Nourishment Foundation & Patron of the Smart Energy Council and Overseas Bankers Association. In Politics he has served as Advisor/ Chief of Staff to two Federal Treasurers and Prime Minister, as Shadow Finance Minister, Shadow Treasurer, Shadow Minister for Industry and Commerce, and Leader of the Liberal Party, and of the Federal Coalition in Opposition.
He is currently a Professor in the Crawford School of Public Policy at ANU, and an Adjunct Professor at Curtin, UTS, Canberra and Griffith Universities, having been Professor and Head of the School of Economics at UNSW, and Professor of Management and Dean Macquarie Graduate School of Management at Macquarie University.
He has worked for The Australian Treasury (Census and Statistics), the IMF, the Reserve Bank, the UN (UNESCAP), and the ADB, and often advises senior public servants.
In Business, he was a Founder of Macquarie Bank, Chairman of ABN Amro Australia, and Chair/Director of a host of public and private companies, with current positions in renewable energy, and funds management and investment banking.
He is Chair of the Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia and The Ocean Nourishment Foundation & Patron of the Smart Energy Council and Overseas Bankers Association. In Politics he has served as Advisor/ Chief of Staff to two Federal Treasurers and Prime Minister, as Shadow Finance Minister, Shadow Treasurer, Shadow Minister for Industry and Commerce, and Leader of the Liberal Party, and of the Federal Coalition in Opposition.
Dominic Lambrinos
Managing Director
Dominic Lambrinos has over 30 years of experience in property investment, finance and development of numerous construction projects across the East Coast of Australia and was recently the Managing Director and co-founder of Chifley Securities, one of Australia’s largest non-bank property development lenders specialising in construction finance.
He has development knowledge covering several disciplines and works together with a large network of experienced development and construction specialists.
Dominic has a background as a Chartered Accountant becoming a Partner at 27 and leaving to later purchase his first Hotel at 36.
He founded a finance lending business and has provided many Billions of dollars of finance specialising in Construction projects and has been involved in the ownership and operation of numerous hotels.
Dominic is a highly regarded educator and speaker on the conference circuit and has created several finance courses for businesses.
Dominic oversees the development, investment decisions, policies, systems and governance of the CEO.
He has development knowledge covering several disciplines and works together with a large network of experienced development and construction specialists.
Dominic has a background as a Chartered Accountant becoming a Partner at 27 and leaving to later purchase his first Hotel at 36.
He founded a finance lending business and has provided many Billions of dollars of finance specialising in Construction projects and has been involved in the ownership and operation of numerous hotels.
Dominic is a highly regarded educator and speaker on the conference circuit and has created several finance courses for businesses.
Dominic oversees the development, investment decisions, policies, systems and governance of the CEO.
ROSS DEAM
DIRECTOR
Ross has had a long and successful career in High-Net-Worth Family Offices managing investments, capital assets and substantial property holdings. His expertise in accounting and finance as well as property development and management spans over 30 years.
Ross was responsible for the development of the Tasman Hotel in Hobart, a Marriott Luxury Collection brand which featured in the coveted list of best hotels in the world, as voted by Condé Nast Traveler readers in the 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards.
The Hotel also ranked number one in Australasia and 21st globally.
Ross was responsible for the development of the Tasman Hotel in Hobart, a Marriott Luxury Collection brand which featured in the coveted list of best hotels in the world, as voted by Condé Nast Traveler readers in the 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards.
The Hotel also ranked number one in Australasia and 21st globally.
KEVIN CRANFIELD
Director
Kevin Cranfield is managing director of a large Sydney practice of Chartered Accountants and is one of the firm’s founding directors.
He leads his business advisory services team and was also involved as a second director of the audit and assurance practice. Kevin Cranfield was also a Sydney member of the Bentleys Australia Board.
With over 25 years in the profession, Kevin has acted as a professional advisor to a diverse range of high-net-worth individuals and businesses in the small to medium enterprises (SME) market, including those of Hotels.
Kevin takes a hands-on approach to working with his clients and has become an integral part of many of his client’s businesses, working closely with them as their trusted advisor.
Kevin provides his clients with strategic and commercial advice on all aspects of taxation, accounting, and advisory services. He has assisted clients with business performance reviews, mergers and acquisitions, business sales, planning and restructuring advice, and outsourced CFO services.
He is a passionate philanthropist and has been involved with a large number of not-for-profit and charity organisations, including indigenous corporations, a women’s hospital in Africa, a charity preserving Australia’s arctic heritage, a large community college, and other registered charities.
Kevin was also proud to sit on the audit committee for Anglicare in NSW.
He leads his business advisory services team and was also involved as a second director of the audit and assurance practice. Kevin Cranfield was also a Sydney member of the Bentleys Australia Board.
With over 25 years in the profession, Kevin has acted as a professional advisor to a diverse range of high-net-worth individuals and businesses in the small to medium enterprises (SME) market, including those of Hotels.
Kevin takes a hands-on approach to working with his clients and has become an integral part of many of his client’s businesses, working closely with them as their trusted advisor.
Kevin provides his clients with strategic and commercial advice on all aspects of taxation, accounting, and advisory services. He has assisted clients with business performance reviews, mergers and acquisitions, business sales, planning and restructuring advice, and outsourced CFO services.
He is a passionate philanthropist and has been involved with a large number of not-for-profit and charity organisations, including indigenous corporations, a women’s hospital in Africa, a charity preserving Australia’s arctic heritage, a large community college, and other registered charities.
Kevin was also proud to sit on the audit committee for Anglicare in NSW.
Brian McGuigan
WineMaker
Brian McGuigan established his position as one of Australia’s foremost winemakers and marketers when he founded the Wyndham Estate Wine Company at Dalwood in the Hunter Valley in the 1970s. As Managing Director of the Wyndham Estate Group, he built one of the most successful wine companies in Australia.
Following the sale of Wyndham in 1991 Brian established a new company; Brian McGuigan Wines, in 1992 through a publicly listed company.
In the fifteen years that he was a Managing Director of the Company growth has been extraordinary, with total sales approaching 10 million cases.
Brian’s faith in Australia to produce premium quality wines is evidenced by the fact that the McGuigan Company now controls and manages some 18,500 acres of vines throughout Australia putting it amongst the top grape growers in Australia and the world.
Exports continue to be a major focus of the McGuigan Wines operation. At present in excess of 67% of total production is allocated to satisfy the demands of the International market.
The success of McGuigan Wines in Europe, the USA and New Zealand has been outstanding and with the quality of McGuigan Wines supported by their policy of controlling their own Vineyards the future of export sales seems assured.
Following the sale of Wyndham in 1991 Brian established a new company; Brian McGuigan Wines, in 1992 through a publicly listed company.
In the fifteen years that he was a Managing Director of the Company growth has been extraordinary, with total sales approaching 10 million cases.
Brian’s faith in Australia to produce premium quality wines is evidenced by the fact that the McGuigan Company now controls and manages some 18,500 acres of vines throughout Australia putting it amongst the top grape growers in Australia and the world.
Exports continue to be a major focus of the McGuigan Wines operation. At present in excess of 67% of total production is allocated to satisfy the demands of the International market.
The success of McGuigan Wines in Europe, the USA and New Zealand has been outstanding and with the quality of McGuigan Wines supported by their policy of controlling their own Vineyards the future of export sales seems assured.
COLIN PETERSON
WINEMAKER
Petersons Wines enjoys widespread recognition in the Hunter Valley and across the Australian wine industry, from its origins in 1964 with the purchase of Glenesk Mt View by Colin’s parents, Ian and Shirley.
15 years later, Petersons produced their inaugural vintage, marking the start of a 40-year collaboration with Winemaker, Gary Reed.
Colin has led the family business since 2000 when he sold Wollundry (Calais Estate) and opened his Mt View winery and Savannah Estate cellar door. His wine business now grows over 30 grape varieties across its NSW vineyards and employs over 250 people.
In 1992, Colin had a vision to produce traditional method sparkling wine and nearly two decades on, Peterson House is the hub of sparkling wine in the Hunter Valley.
In 2017, Colin and Brian McGuigan purchased Ben Ean, the former Lindeman’s Estate, returning the property to its 174-year historical roots of the Hunter. Taking the business overseas, Colin has expanded with Petersons Wines Singapore and China, capitalising on the demand for Hunter wine in these markets.
Over his career, Colin has mentored and collaborated with winemakers and grape growers across the region, with perhaps the best yet to come by mentoring his daughter Savannah.
15 years later, Petersons produced their inaugural vintage, marking the start of a 40-year collaboration with Winemaker, Gary Reed.
Colin has led the family business since 2000 when he sold Wollundry (Calais Estate) and opened his Mt View winery and Savannah Estate cellar door. His wine business now grows over 30 grape varieties across its NSW vineyards and employs over 250 people.
In 1992, Colin had a vision to produce traditional method sparkling wine and nearly two decades on, Peterson House is the hub of sparkling wine in the Hunter Valley.
In 2017, Colin and Brian McGuigan purchased Ben Ean, the former Lindeman’s Estate, returning the property to its 174-year historical roots of the Hunter. Taking the business overseas, Colin has expanded with Petersons Wines Singapore and China, capitalising on the demand for Hunter wine in these markets.
Over his career, Colin has mentored and collaborated with winemakers and grape growers across the region, with perhaps the best yet to come by mentoring his daughter Savannah.
Stephen Leathley
Hotel & Town Planner
Stephen is a Registered and qualified Town Planner with over 35 years of experience in the town planning, local government and property industries.
As town planner for the Project’s Hotel development, Stephen is an active contributor to local planning issues and holds various positions and qualifications including:
As town planner for the Project’s Hotel development, Stephen is an active contributor to local planning issues and holds various positions and qualifications including:
- Fellow of the Planning Institute Australia
- NSW Government appointed Chair & Expert Town Planner to Local Planning Panels (LPP)
- LPP Expert Town Planner to the Blue Mountains and Central Coast Councils Alternate LPP Chair at Hawkesbury & Wingecarribee Councils
- Regional Planning Panel representative Central Coast, Gunnedah & Cessnock Councils
- Regional Planning Panels expert Town Planner Recipient of Multiple Planning Awards
- Hunter Committee Property Council Australia
DAVID ASSEF
Hotel Operation
For almost 10 years, David was the Managing Director for Spicers Retreats.
There he led the strategic direction of the Spicers Retreats Portfolio as a member of the executive team and Board, driving business growth and fostering a strong organisational culture through effective communication, sound frameworks, and disciplined standards.
He led a head office team of 26 which included Sales, Marketing, Operations, Finance/HR, and Design/Innovation/Systems, reservations (total workforce of 500+).
David spearheaded expansion and innovation via hotel acquisitions, repositioning, product launch, and incorporating technology for efficiency and improved guest experiences.
There he led the strategic direction of the Spicers Retreats Portfolio as a member of the executive team and Board, driving business growth and fostering a strong organisational culture through effective communication, sound frameworks, and disciplined standards.
He led a head office team of 26 which included Sales, Marketing, Operations, Finance/HR, and Design/Innovation/Systems, reservations (total workforce of 500+).
David spearheaded expansion and innovation via hotel acquisitions, repositioning, product launch, and incorporating technology for efficiency and improved guest experiences.
JUSTIN NORTH
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Justin North’s career began in New Zealand where he followed his passion for French cuisine, working and learning from some of the best chefs in Europe including, three years at the two Michelin-starred, Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons with Raymond Blanc. Upon returning to Sydney, he joined one of Sydney’s most exciting kitchen teams, Banc, with Liam Tomlin at the helm.
Between 2001 and 2012 Justin ran his own restaurants, including Bécasse, which evolved into one of Sydney’s premier dining spaces, being named in the ‘Top 100 Restaurants in the World’ in 2007. The restaurant also won the coveted Sydney Morning Herald ‘Restaurant of the Year’.
Justin was awarded the title of 2009 ‘SMH Chef of the Year’ and was named ‘GQ Chef of the Year’ at the Man of the Year Awards in 2010.
Justin is the author of two award-winning books — Bécasse: ‘Inspirations and Flavours’ and the recently re-published ‘French Lessons’. In 2014 he published his third book ‘Family Cooking’ with Penguin Australia. Justin has authored many articles including a sustainability opinion piece published in The New York Times.
Justin’s media credits include Masterchef Australia and Junior Masterchef, as well as appearances and cooking segments on Nine’s Today Show; The Morning Show on Channel 7, The Lifestyle Channel as well as SBS and Channel 10.
Justin’s insight is second to none, and he brings a wealth of experience and a hands-on approach to any project he works on. His finger on the pulse approach to the hospitality industry, is a true asset to his clients and his genuine love for hospitality always shines through.
Between 2001 and 2012 Justin ran his own restaurants, including Bécasse, which evolved into one of Sydney’s premier dining spaces, being named in the ‘Top 100 Restaurants in the World’ in 2007. The restaurant also won the coveted Sydney Morning Herald ‘Restaurant of the Year’.
Justin was awarded the title of 2009 ‘SMH Chef of the Year’ and was named ‘GQ Chef of the Year’ at the Man of the Year Awards in 2010.
Justin is the author of two award-winning books — Bécasse: ‘Inspirations and Flavours’ and the recently re-published ‘French Lessons’. In 2014 he published his third book ‘Family Cooking’ with Penguin Australia. Justin has authored many articles including a sustainability opinion piece published in The New York Times.
Justin’s media credits include Masterchef Australia and Junior Masterchef, as well as appearances and cooking segments on Nine’s Today Show; The Morning Show on Channel 7, The Lifestyle Channel as well as SBS and Channel 10.
Justin’s insight is second to none, and he brings a wealth of experience and a hands-on approach to any project he works on. His finger on the pulse approach to the hospitality industry, is a true asset to his clients and his genuine love for hospitality always shines through.
RENATO FABBRO
EVENTS – CONFERENCES
Renato is a strategic and highly experienced end-to-end meeting and event professional creating customised experiences in a diverse range of environments.
His strengths include: building relationships internally and externally, expanding the use of digital tools to manage effective outcomes and project- manage deliverable ‘brand-activations’ for a favourable ROI on events.
Renato prides himself on creating memorable events along with an ability to consistently meet competing deadlines from multiple stakeholders whilst ensuring events adapt to a diverse range of cultures and demands.
His strengths include: building relationships internally and externally, expanding the use of digital tools to manage effective outcomes and project- manage deliverable ‘brand-activations’ for a favourable ROI on events.
Renato prides himself on creating memorable events along with an ability to consistently meet competing deadlines from multiple stakeholders whilst ensuring events adapt to a diverse range of cultures and demands.
Jon Osbeiston
Wine Expert
Jon is one of Australia’s premier wine experts.
A well respected member of the wine fraternity and a legend in Sydney wine retailing who has been serving customers with the finest wines from all over the world from a procession of wine makers and private cellars for more than 40 years.
Osbeiston formerly curated the wine cellar for the Wine Bank at the Golden Century, Barangaroo’s Bel & Brio, Prince Wine Store, and was best known for Ultimo Wine Centre.
Jon is responsible for building the wine cellars for the Hotel sourcing some of the best wines from the Hunter Valley, across Australia and around the world.
A well respected member of the wine fraternity and a legend in Sydney wine retailing who has been serving customers with the finest wines from all over the world from a procession of wine makers and private cellars for more than 40 years.
Osbeiston formerly curated the wine cellar for the Wine Bank at the Golden Century, Barangaroo’s Bel & Brio, Prince Wine Store, and was best known for Ultimo Wine Centre.
Jon is responsible for building the wine cellars for the Hotel sourcing some of the best wines from the Hunter Valley, across Australia and around the world.
GILLIE AND MARC
ARTISTS
British and Australian artists, Gillie and Marc have been called “the most successful and prolific creators of public art in New York’s History” by the New York Times.
Creating some of the world’s most innovative public sculptures, Gillie and Marc are redefining what public art should be, spreading messages of love, equality, and conservation around the world.
Their highly coveted sculptures and paintings can be seen in art galleries and public sites in over 250 cities. These include monumental public exhibitions for wildlife, including The Last Three (NYC), King Nyani (NYC), and The Orphans (London).
The artists are best known for their beloved characters, Rabbitwoman and Dogman, who tell the autobiographical tale of two opposites coming together to become best friends and soul mates.
As unlikely animal kingdom companions, the Rabbit and the Dog stand for diversity and acceptance through love.
Gillie and Marc believe art is a powerful platform for change.
Their art is multi-disciplinary, paying homage to the importance of togetherness, as well as the magnificence of the natural world, and the necessity of preserving it – for we are it, and it is us.
Creating some of the world’s most innovative public sculptures, Gillie and Marc are redefining what public art should be, spreading messages of love, equality, and conservation around the world.
Their highly coveted sculptures and paintings can be seen in art galleries and public sites in over 250 cities. These include monumental public exhibitions for wildlife, including The Last Three (NYC), King Nyani (NYC), and The Orphans (London).
The artists are best known for their beloved characters, Rabbitwoman and Dogman, who tell the autobiographical tale of two opposites coming together to become best friends and soul mates.
As unlikely animal kingdom companions, the Rabbit and the Dog stand for diversity and acceptance through love.
Gillie and Marc believe art is a powerful platform for change.
Their art is multi-disciplinary, paying homage to the importance of togetherness, as well as the magnificence of the natural world, and the necessity of preserving it – for we are it, and it is us.
2024 INVESTOR MEET & GREET
CONTACT
PHONE: (02) 8051 3009
ADDRESS: Level 36 Gateway, 1 Macquarie Place, Sydney NSW 2000
HVL Hotels Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No. 1311724) of Mondari Capital Group Pty Ltd (AFSL No. 294138)
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