Date posted: August 8, 2017

Family Business Member
Lester Nichol

Name, Company Name, Industry

MATTHEWS Australasia Pty Ltd  ‘Intelligent Identification’

Providing manufacturers and producers with product identification and traceability through the supply-chain.

What generation is your family business?

MATTHEWS has operated as Family Business since 1997. We are currently a 1st generation family business.

What is your role in the family business?

Since starting the business in 1997, I have been Managing Director. We are currently in the process of appointing a Non-Family CEO, which will see me move to the position of Chairman. My role is no longer operational and is more of mentor and strategic advisor.

What/ who is a major influence for you in the family business?

My father was successful in his own Family Business, which I was a part of after leaving school, late 1960’s. His character, leadership and work ethic provided me with a strong ‘moral compass’. Those learnings underpin our current family and company values.

Experience has taught me that you cannot grow on your own so I have always surrounded myself with the best possible like-minded people, including my sons Ben and Matt.

What keeps you up at night?

We are in an exciting and dynamic industry with an ever increasing need for process control,  product traceability and proof of providence.

I wish I was 30 years younger.

What’s the key benefit of your FBA membership?

Being a 1st Generation business the page was blank in relation to a Family Business Charter, Succession planning and sustainability. The benefit of having access to the experience of very generous, well established and some iconic Family Businesses has been invaluable in creating the necessary governance to guide the future of our company.

I am a Forum member and this venue takes you to the next level. Our Forum is a great place for moral support, to share ideas and to test and benchmark all aspects of your personal style and business assumptions.