From chef to change-maker: One leader’s vision for the future of Australian hospitality

In an industry grappling with labour shortages, shifting guest expectations, AI-driven disruption, complex stakeholder relationships, and the potential for substantial economic benefits through a growing visitor economy, hospitality stands at a strategic crossroads.

But where some see challenges, others like Matthew Peade, Director of Learning & Organisational Development at TFE Hotels, see opportunities and a call to lead differently.

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Matthew’s career spans more than three decades and multiple continents. He began at 16 as an apprentice chef in some of Sydney’s most acclaimed hospitality venues Restaurant 41, Quay, and Edna’s Table before moving to London’s Le Pont de la Tour and then returning to lead Manta Restaurant at Woolloomooloo wharf.

But it was a pivot into hospitality education and organisational development that unlocked his true calling: growing leaders who could thrive in complexity.

His global credentials are compelling. As Vice President of Learning & Development at Galaxy Entertainment Group in Macau, he spent nearly nine years building organisational culture, driving business performance, service quality and leadership capability across one of Asia’s most dynamic hospitality markets.

Now back in Australia as Director of Learning & Organisational Development with Sydney-based International Hotel Group, TFE Hotels, he combines his global insight with local action.

Matthew has over 30 years of industry experience, combined with a trade qualification as a chef, a bachelor’s degree, and two master’s degrees—one in business and the other in education.  His academic journey continues with a PhD at Torrens University, supported by an Australian government research training scholarship. His research is focused on defining the capabilities, characteristics, and team dynamics that will shape successful strategic leadership teams in hospitality beyond 2030.

“Our industry doesn’t have the luxury of leading like we used to,” Matthew says. “In the face of generational shifts, economic uncertainty and accelerating tech, leaders need agility, foresight, and the ability to think long-term.”

This philosophy is already playing out at TFE Hotels. Under Matthew’s leadership, the in-house ACADEME suite of development programs, including the AITD award-winning People Leader ACADEME has helped equip people leaders with future-ready skills.

A recent Strategic Leadership Development Program convened senior executives from across Europe and Australia in Sydney to build alignment and a shared leadership language.

TFE also walks the talk on learning culture. Every employee is eligible for a 25 percent scholarship toward any Torrens University higher education course, an institutional bet on lifelong learning as a competitive advantage, as well as range of other global and local development and training programs.

“Matthew’s story is a blueprint for what’s possible in our industry,” says Chief People Officer Michelle Bevan. “He’s not just studying leadership he’s actively creating the next generation of leaders.”

As his research evolves, Matthew will invite strategic leaders across the sector to contribute their perspectives and help co-create a model for what the future demands. His aim isn’t just to document change it’s to support the industry to lead it.

If you’re a strategic leader in Australian hospitality, expect a knock on your door. The future of our industry can be shaped together on how we answer it.

In the meantime, be sure to grab a spot to hear Matthew and TFE hotel leaders share their insights on best practices to develop leaders for the future of Hospitality summit at No Vacancy. Hear how the TFE Hotels team put together a leadership program that was named best leadership development program at the Australian Institute of Training and Development across all industries in 2025.