Inside the Episode: What You’ll Learn

A Legacy of Leadership

Discover how McArthur was born from bold thinking and entrepreneurial spirit. In 1969, John McArthur took over a 100-year-old elite typing bureau, Adelaide Typewriting Association, founded in 1885 and began reshaping it into a recruitment firm with a clear mission: to do things better, with more care and greater purpose.

What started as a small operation with hand-built interview rooms and a family-run print machine evolved into a people-first national enterprise. Matthew reflects on the early lessons from his father and the unique dynamic of working in a family business without letting family ties compromise professionalism. It’s a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how values can shape vision and legacy.

Resilience Through Reinvestment

Matthew explains McArthur’s philosophy of staying strong by staying agile, particularly in the face of economic uncertainty. From the late 1980s recession to the COVID-19 pandemic, McArthur’s growth has been underpinned by deliberate diversification, reinvestment in systems, and a refusal to cut corners.

By broadening services across sectors like Aged Care, Early Childhood Education, Local Government and Nursing, McArthur created a truly recession-resistant business model. It’s not just about profit, it’s about sustainability, long-term trust, and having the depth to support communities when they need it most.

Culture That Connects

Hear why McArthur’s internal culture is one of its greatest competitive advantages. With staff still active after joining in the early 1970s and entire families building careers within the organisation, McArthur is a powerful example of what happens when companies put people first.

From biannual national conferences to inter-branch collaboration, every initiative is designed to promote cohesion, inclusion, and professional growth. Matthew unpacks why it’s worth spending on a staff event and how this investment translates to deep loyalty, cross-state knowledge sharing, and enduring client relationships.

“People won’t work well with each other unless they genuinely know and understand one another.”

The Road Ahead: Growth Through Consolidation and Impact

While McArthur’s expansion to six states is impressive, Matthew’s focus now is sharpening each branch into a leader in its local market. Over the next three years, the goal is to align performance across all divisions, ensuring every region operates at the standard of McArthur’s best-performing teams.

He also hints at the next evolution: international recruitment partnerships, potentially with the UK and Ireland, to address ongoing shortages in social services, child protection, and nursing. The future isn’t just about scale, it’s about smart, purposeful growth that meets real community needs across Australia.

“If we can make every branch as successful as our best one, we’ll double the business overnight.”
– Matthew McArthur

Why It Matters

This isn’t just a business podcast, it’s a masterclass in values-driven leadership, family business evolution, and building a sustainable company culture that truly puts people first.

Whether you're a client, candidate, or curious leader, Matthew’s insights offer powerful takeaways for anyone navigating growth in a complex, people-centric industry.

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