SimpsInns At 30: Two Generations, One Family, One Vision

In 2026, SimpsInns marks 30 years as one of Ayrshire’s leading family owned hospitality groups. Founded by Malcolm and Karen Simpson and now led alongside their sons, the business has grown into a collection of award winning hotels, restaurants, spas and golf destinations along Scotland’s Golf Coast. Paul Andrews spoke to the second generation, Lee Simpson, Managing Director, and Jack Simpson, Property and Development Director, to find out more.

Thirty years is a significant milestone for any business. In hospitality, a sector that has faced more than its share of upheaval, it is an achievement worth celebrating. For SimpsInns, named Ayrshire’s Hospitality Business of the Year 2025 and SLTN Family Business of the Year 2026, the anniversary is a chance to look back and forward with real ambition.

“Running a family business in hospitality is not easy,” says Lee. “But reaching 30 years is a real milestone, so we must have got something right.”

Built on Entrepreneurial Foundations

Both brothers are clear that much of today’s success stems from the way their parents built the business. Growing up with hard working, entrepreneurial role models, Lee and Jack learned from a young age, absorbing advice and building their knowledge along the way.

“The way Mum and Dad built the business has helped fuel our success,” says Jack.

“Irrespective of all the hours they put in, the diversity of the business has stood us in good stead and helped us navigate a number of storms successfully along the way.”

Today the SimpsInns collection includes The Waterside Hotel & Spa in West Kilbride, The Gailes Hotel & Spa in Irvine, The Loans Inn near Troon, The Potting Shed and The Terrace in Irvine, and Gailes Golf: Leisure at The Gailes. Alongside hotels and restaurants sit two Si! Spa destinations, wedding and events venues, a leisure club and golf breaks within easy reach of some of the world’s most celebrated links courses.

“We are a wee bit of everything when it comes to hospitality,” says Lee, “and there is always something to shout about.”

Stepping Up: The Second Generation

For Jack, joining the family business was always on the cards, but it was never a foregone conclusion imposed by his parents.

“Joining the family business was always going to happen, but it was never forced upon us,” he explains.

“We both went to university and then travelled, working for other businesses, some of them family owned. About ten years ago it felt like the right time for me to come back and start working in the family business.”

Those years away proved invaluable. Much of Lee’s time overseas was spent in hospitality roles, building skills he still draws on today. “Apart from a stint on an avocado farm and some construction work, my roles were in hospitality,” he says. “But it was all good experience to bring back.”

Jack’s journey followed a similar path. His travels included time in a commercial kitchen, where he found himself preparing dishes he had never attempted before, octopus among them, and truly learning on the job.

Back home, the brothers have settled into clearly defined roles that play to their strengths. Lee is very much the public face of the business, while Jack prefers to work behind the scenes. Rather than competing, their roles complement one another.

Malcolm and Karen remain actively involved, but the balance is shifting. As Lee and Jack take on more and more responsibility, their parents are gradually stepping back.

Both brothers point to The Waterside development as one of their proudest achievements to date. It was a project where they were given greater input into the decision making process and helped shape the final product, a clear sign of the trust being placed in the next generation.

Weathering the Storms

Lee is candid about the pressures facing the sector. “Legislation keeps increasing, costs keep rising and margins are under constant pressure,” he says. “Recruitment isn’t easy either.”

Part of the answer has been a consistent commitment to reinvestment. “Right from the start we have invested in the business, and we continue to do so,” Lee explains.

“Investing in our properties, and our people is what attracts guests.”

That investment continues to pay off, with the spa and wellness facilities and the leisure club drawing growing numbers of guests.

The breadth of the business is also a deliberate strength. “We’re a diverse second generation business, with restaurants, weddings, events, leisure facilities and more besides,” says Lee. “That works well for us because all our eggs aren’t in one basket.”

Yet growth for its own sake has never been the goal. “It’s about being profitable, delivering a great service and not being busy fools.”

Family Values in Practice

The Simpsons are a close knit family, aligned on their purpose and vision. They holiday together and dine out together, though inevitably the conversation turns to the business and the world of hospitality.

Those family values permeate SimpsInns, right down to where the leadership sits. The main office is located above the spa, keeping the family close to the ground, on hand for the team and involved in what is happening day to day.

“Ayrshire is our home, and we are fortunate that all five of our locations are in close proximity,” says Jack. “People see us leading from the front.”

With almost 300 employees and growing, the group’s stated values of fairness, inclusion, integrity, teamwork, learning, passion and quality are designed to cascade from the owners through to every member of the team. Loyalty runs deep, too. “It’s a special place to be,” says Lee, “and we were delighted to share the anniversary celebration with a number of staff who have been with us on the journey from the start.”

Proud of Ayrshire

Place is central to the SimpsInns story, and the family champion their home region at every opportunity.

“We are proud of the business, the venues and Ayrshire as a place where we live and work, and we shout about it as much as we can,” says Jack.

“Ayrshire is beautiful, it has some real hidden treasures and it is a great place to visit.”

The Next Chapter

The past year has brought another milestone, with both Jack and Lee starting families of their own. There is now a third generation, albeit a very young one.

“We are excited about the future,” says Lee.

“Being a family business is so important. It is who we are, and the values we have make the business what it is today. They will help drive the next phase of the journey.”

SimpsInns shows what can be achieved when one generation builds with ambition and the next is given the space to grow into leadership. Thirty years on, with continued investment, a diverse portfolio and family values that run through every venue, the Simpsons are not just celebrating the past.

They are building the foundations for a third generation and the next chapter of their Ayrshire story.