FORGING STRONGER FUTURES:
HOW STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
DRIVE FAMILY BUSINESS SUCCESS

PARALLEL SESSION

Speakers: Bill Andrews, John Andrews and David Church

Facilitator: Ken Matthews

Date and time: Thursday 22 May 2025, 2:00pm - 2:45pm

SESSION OVERVIEW

In the highly competitive and dynamic business landscape, family businesses face unique challenges and opportunities that often call for strategic alliances with other organisations. Such partnerships can drive growth and open new avenues, but establishing and managing these alliances is complex, involving intricate relationships among the partners, their families, and their businesses.

A prime example of the power of collaboration is the Royan Group of Companies. From Bede Royan’s modest beginnings in wartime Parramatta to an organisation with 28 branches and over 650 employees across Australia and New Zealand, family foundations have remained central to Royans’ identity and success.

Royans has been the leading service provider of commercial vehicle repairs for over 80 years, expanding by opening new branches and partnering with established operations to create a strong network of family-driven enterprises, comprising of the Royan, Andrews and Church families. Their most recent alliance, collaboration with private equity, have positioned Royans to deliver premium solutions and services to a broader market.

Join father and son Bill and John Andrews, together with Royans CEO, David Church, as they explore how strategic partnerships have empowered them to meet evolving customer needs, enhance competitiveness, and foster innovation and resilience. They will share valuable insights into the processes of building effective business partnerships, along with the core values and strategies that have sustained their growth and continue to shape their business journey.



SPEAKERs

Bill Andrews
Director, Royan Group of Companies


John Andrews
Regional Manager, Royan Group of Companies


David Church
Director, Royan Group of Companies

With over 40 years at Royans Transport Accident Repairs, David has been involved in all facets of the business. He has held a wide range of roles, starting as a panel beater on the floor in Bayswater, then progressing to assistant foreman, assistant workshop manager, workshop manager, and branch manager, before becoming Managing Director in 2001. In his current role as Group CEO, David draws on his extensive experience and deep understanding of the business to strengthen and grow the capabilities of the Royans Group.

David’s proudest achievements include redeveloping and redesigning the Bayswater branch in 2008 during his tenure as Managing Director, expanding the Royans Group into New Zealand, and acquiring new branches across the region—establishing Royans as Australia and New Zealand's leading transport accident repair specialists.

FACILITATOR

Ken Matthews
Director, Allanfyne Advisory 

Ken is an impactful and entrepreneurial business mentor and advisor who works with Business Owners & CEOs to implement transformational change and maximise their financial and strategic direction.  Ken’s knowledge and deep understanding of the challenges and sacrifices of family business, stems from his own firsthand experience and career, specifically when making the life changing decision to create, as founding partner, what would ultimately be a prominent second tier accounting firm from humble beginnings in the family home garage. 

Ken has committed over 25 years in chairing numerous Business Advisory Committees for family and SME businesses advising on corporate governance, risk management, strategic planning, financial management, succession planning and M&A.

Ken holds fellowship with the Institute of Chartered Accountants & the Australian Institute of Company Directors. His previous board and committee experience include Navy Health Ltd, Mercy Palliative Care Hospice, Work Solutions Group Ltd (Telstra & Australian Government small business of the year), Entrepreneurs Organisation Melbourne and WREDO (Western Region Economic Development Organisation).

Ken is a certified chair with the Advisory Board Centre and in 2024 was awarded a lifetime achievement award for his contribution to business and the community from the Victorian University.

Outside of his professional persona, Ken is passionate about his family, golf and the AFL Western Bulldogs.

Ken is thrilled to have been associated with FBA since 2012, in his capacity as Non-Executive Director and Specialist Accredited Advisor and looks forward to sharing his insights at the 2025 FBA Conference.

all sessions

Explore all the sessions on offer at this year’s Family Business Conference: Asia-Pacific. Each session has been thoughtfully crafted to provide you with real-world tools and takeaways for navigating change in the world of family business. Featuring a range of expert keynote presentations, family business stories, interactive workshops and parallel sessions, every session is designed to equip you with strategies to navigate current challenges, embrace future opportunities, and achieve sustained success for your family business.

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