For any Midlands locals, even those who visit from far away, you’ll probably be familiar with Fordoun Hotel and Spa in Nottingham Road. It’s one of the cosiest, most picturesque places in our countryside, and did you know the Fordoun farm itself is nearly 200 years old? It was named after a village and parish in Kincardineshire, Scotland and registered by one of the Byrne Settlers, William Taylor, in the early 1850s as a land allotment. The farm has been home to several families over the years, and most recently to Jon and Micheline Bates; their two sons, Richard and Andrew; and daughter, Georgina. We caught up with them to hear more about how they found their home in Fordoun, their respective roles with a focus on the Bates men, and their vision moving forward.
The farm was purchased in 1949 by industrialist Sir George Usher and his wife Lady Nora who moved from England and found the Midlands countryside a perfect climate to make their home and develop their dairy farm. Lady Usher didn’t have children of her own and had a close relationship with Jon; she was his aunt, who eventually took over Fordoun at her request in 1990. After she passed on in 1993, the Bates inherited the farm. Jon successfully ran the dairy farm for years, however, he faced a similar challenge to many smaller farmers and that was the inability to increase cattle numbers due to not having enough irrigable water on the property. This prompted him to sell off a large hectare of the farm and use the funds to create a viable hospitality business on the now smaller farm. Jon engaged renowned architect Nick Grice and converted 1848 stone buildings, the homestead, barn, and stables into the stunning rooms they are today. Combining modern with historical aspects, Fordoun Hotel and Spa has, since opening in 2005, received numerous international and local hospitality awards.
Over the years, the Bates children joined their parents in managing the farm and hotel. Micheline mainly oversaw the interior aspects of Fordoun, which Georgina took over from her. Georgina is also a talented artist; her paintings can be spotted adorning the Fordoun walls. While Jon is not involved in the operational aspects of running Fordoun, he is involved with social and environmental projects, sustainability, and biodiversity initiatives such as the Bill Barnes Crane and Oribi Nature Reserve, and organic beef, sheep, vegetables, chickens and bees. He also oversees the maintenance of some of the 30 kilometres hiking paths.
Younger son Andrew joined around 10 years ago after he left his banking career in the UK and moved back to South Africa to provide a better life for his family, and to be closer to his parents and siblings. He manages the overall estate and the maintenance of the buildings, plants, and grounds. His portfolio includes capital projects such as solar and new additions and buildings.
Before Andrew joined his father, his brother, Richard, had played professional rugby in Japan and the UK for over seven years. He gained valuable hospitality training at Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa in Cape Town before joining Fordoun as the General Manager.
While the Bates brothers mainly hold up the Fordoun fort, they always strive to maintain a work-life balance with one another. They shared with us how they manage the dynamics that come with family business, “We set clear boundaries between work and family time, ensuring that we dedicate moments to relax and enjoy each others’ company without discussing business. Having separate living spaces and taking regular breaks also helps us to recharge and avoid burnout.”
The successes and challenges unite the Bates men, especially when navigating their father-son relationships. They understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses, which allows them to complement each other effectively. “We truly get to know one another and our ability to work through difficulties. These moments test our resilience and commitment to the business and each other, ultimately strengthening our relationship and the operation of Fordoun,” explained Richard.
Running a family business is no easy feat, it comes with its ups and downs, especially when there are differences of opinion, but the shared passion, values, and commitment to Fordoun is the glue that keeps the Bates family so close-knit. This includes the staff members, who feel like extended family. Their collective focus also motivates everyone to maintain high standards and create a luxury experience for their guests, which is consistently developed through active involvement in the day-to-day operations, regular training sessions, and establishing open lines of communication.
Fordoun is a large part of the Bates’ heritage, “Our legacy is rooted in sustainability, community engagement, and exceptional hospitality. As the family grows, we hope to pass down these values and ensure that Fordoun remains a cherished sanctuary for generations to come,” shared Richard. With a focus on steady growth and expanding their offerings to create memorable experiences for their guests, the Bates family keeps their vision on the future.
Photo credit: Antoinette McDonald