The chief executive officer of prominent Sydney hospitality group Swillhouse, Anton Forte, has stepped aside following allegations of widespread sexual assault and harassment within its six venues. In a company-wide email sent on Friday, Forte announced that former Etymon Projects CEO Lisa Hobbs had been given the top job, tasked with building “a better, stronger future for Swillhouse” in the wake of a damning The Sydney Morning Herald and Good Food investigation published in August. But Forte said he would remain at the company as managing director, a newly created role in which he would be “working closely with Lisa and supporting her as she drives the evolution of Swillhouse”.
Corporate records show the 40-year-old remains the sole director of Swillhouse. His family company, Mangia Questa (Eat This), is the only other shareholder. After a months-long investigation, the Herald and Good Food published claims that Swillhouse discriminated against women, failed to protect female staff from sexual harassment and assault, and pushed a woman out of the company after she was raped by a colleague in the bathroom of Restaurant Hubert.
Hobbs said she would not be able to discuss her plans for Swillhouse until formally starting the role, but told Good Food she would prioritise staff, working with them “to identify our opportunities and challenges”. “As CEO, I will be responsible for day-to-day operations of the entire business, with Anton moving into more of an oversight.
