ILF Scholars Network Bulletins

Steve Todd
General Manager, Kay Brothers
Company Directors Course
Australian Institute of Company Directors, 2012

On a sweltering day in January 2001, Steve Todd and his family arrived in Adelaide with no job, a temporary house and a new language to learn! Looking back, he said it was the best thing he’s ever done. Judging by his success, we can certainly see why. Learn more about Steve’s journey from the other side of the globe to managing a family-owned winery in picturesque McLaren Vale.

“Kay Brothers is the oldest family-owned McLaren Vale winery that remains under founding family ownership. Founded in 1891, the business has been through many trials including two pandemics, a couple of world wars and all the normal issues that agriculture throws at a business! My role, as the first non-family member to run the organisation, was to bring a more corporate outlook to its operations. We embarked on a full board structure (thanks to the AICD course!); a comprehensive long-term strategy; a modernised customer offering at the cellar door; and improved winery operations. As someone who didn’t have any winery experience, the recognition of transferable skills again came to the fore. Kay Brothers is a very different business in look and feel to what it was eight years ago. There are exciting times ahead as we continue to adapt, as we have done for over 130 years, to changing markets.”