DIRECTORS

Hatem Saleh

A restaurateur-turned-businessman with true entrepreneurial flair, Managing Director of Atlantic Group [v], Hatem Saleh’s first business venture was a seafood restaurant called Atlantic in St Kilda in 1994.

In 1999, Hatem noticed there was a gap in the market for event spaces catering for 500+ people. With the then derelict Shed 7 becoming available at South Wharf, Atlantic (the event space) was born in 1999 followed by Sumac (a smaller intimate event space) and Alumbra (a waterside bar and nightclub) in Shed 6 2002.

In July 2006, the State Government announced plans to redevelop South Wharf. At the same time, Hatem's Atlantic Group [v] won a highly competitive tender to redevelop Central Pier and as such Atlantic Group [v] relocated existing businesses Atlantic, Sumac and Alumbra plus introduced Peninsula and Sketch as new venues.

Now the Central Pier entertainment precinct is known as the destination for Melbourne's hottest parties and events. This one stop events and hospitality destination is also home to an eclectic mix of businesses including uber cool cocktail bar Alumbra, an authentic Italian eatery Va Bene pizzeria e pasta cucina plus The Woolshed Pub, a rustic warehouse conversion with a host of spaces to uncover including a bar, outdoor decking, bistro and upstairs dining room.

In 2008, Hatem was a finalist in the prestigious Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards. Since then, Atlantic Group [v] have gone onto win 14 prestigious awards in little over three years including the City of Melbourne’s Melbourne Awards, Restaurant and Catering Associations’ Best Overall National Caterer and Telstra’s State and National Business awards.

Today Hatem’s entrepreneurial vision has seen Atlantic Group [v] extend its brand, launching an outside catering arm Atlantic Group catering and 2011 will see the company’s return to the superlative restaurant game when the seafood restaurant The Atlantic opens at Crown Entertainment precinct in March 2011.

A hallmark of Hatem’s vision and style is daring to be different and attention to the little things that others often miss providing guests a highly personalized experience.

Tony Schiavello

Antonino Schiavello was born in Sorianello, Italy in 1938, migrating to Australia at the age of 18.

In 1966 he founded a small office interiors business with brother, Giuseppe Schiavello; and in 1968, co-founded the Schiavello Bros Pty Ltd.

As managing director for over 40 years, Antonino Schiavello has expanded the family business to become the Schiavello Group – an international enterprise, proudly based in Melbourne, Australia. Schiavello is ranked within Australia’s top 200 private companies, the largest Australian company in its sector, with 30 per cent of Australian market share, an annual turnover of $450 million, and over 1,200 employees.

Antonino’s business philosophy is built on the premise that ‘anything is possible’. His passion and commitment for improving human performance through the design of innovative and dynamic work environments is testament to the company’s success. Schiavello was a pioneer in Australia’s expansion into demountable partitions, following shortly thereafter with innovation in workstations, computer-based furniture, seating, storage, specialist architectural joinery, interior fit out and construction, and IT integration.
In addition to designing and manufacturing workplace furniture, Schiavello has put its touch on banking and retail outlets, airport executive lounges, hospitality venues, dealing rooms, call centres, and healthcare facilities.

A key Schiavello milestone was the official opening of the new Schiavello Group headquarters facility in Tullamarine, Melbourne by the Premier of Victoria, the Hon Steve Bracks MP, in 2004. This project earned Schiavello the 2005 Victorian Master Builder of the Year Award, along with an award for Excellence in Construction of Commercial Buildings $20M-$30M and Excellence in Office Fit out.

Antonino Schiavello was proudly inducted into the 2005 Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame for his individual contribution to the industry. In 2008 Schiavello Group was also recognised and inducted into the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame.

Other accolades include the National Australia Bank Ethnic Business of the Year Award for Manufacturing [1992]; President of the Assisi Italian Community Centre [1992]; Hon Cavaliere from the President of the Italian Republic [1985]; and President of Juventus Melbourne [National Champions 1985].