Swillhouse CEO Anton Forte steps down, but is appointed in ‘an oversight role’

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 claimed 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 role,” Hobbs said.

Her appointment follows the departure of two members of the Swillhouse executive team, Toby Hilton and Jordan McDonald, and Myffy Rigby, the editor of their quarterly lifestyle publication Swill. Good Food understands from sources unable to comment publicly that other employees working at Swillhouse venues had also resigned.

Hobbs is a 20-year veteran of hospitality management, most recently working with Sydney hospitality group Etymon Projects as they expanded to nine venues, including hatted restaurants Loulou Bistro and The Charles.

She previously acted as the director for Women in Hospitality, an advocacy group that aimed to increase female representation in the hospitality sector.

“[Hobbs has] had incredible success in her previous roles and I know that the energy and experience she brings to our company will deliver great results for Swillhouse,” Forte said in his statement.

In his company-wide resignation email, former general manager Hilton described the hospitality company as “the best part of my life’s work”.

“The past few weeks have been very hard but an important lesson in realising that good actions or intent mean little if the experience is not consistent for all,” Hilton said.

“There is clearly a different reality between what we thought we had created versus what existed for some, for which I am truly sorry.”

McDonald, the most recent staff member to announce his resignation, acted as the group’s creative director and led the infamous underground pizza joint, Frankie’s Pizza by the Slice.

There is no suggestion of allegations of sexual harassment against Forte or members of the executive team. Through his lawyers, Forte has denied any claim that he was responsible for the company’s culture and otherwise encouraged inappropriate conduct.