Kāpura (formerly Wellington Hospitality Group) and Joylab (formerly Barworks) are joining forces to create Star Hospitality Group.

DB Breweries (current major shareholder in Joylab) will acquire the remaining shares in Joylab and merge Joylab with Kāpura.  Kāpura founders Jamie Williams and Andrew Williams will continue as shareholders in Star Hospitality Group.

Kāpura CEO Jamie Williams will become CEO of Star Hospitality, while Joylab Managing Director John Hellebrekers will join the Star Hospitality Board.  The Star Hospitality executive team will include senior executives from Kāpura and Joylab, leveraging the expertise of both groups. 

Star Hospitality will continue to deliver outstanding hospitality experiences across New Zealand.

The transaction is expected to close in April 2023 subject to standard consents. Further details will be released upon the transaction closing.

Forsyth Barr is acting as financial advisor to DB Breweries in relation to the transaction and Cameron Partners (Global alliance partner of Rothschild & Co) is acting as financial advisor to Kāpura.