Our Team

Darren Smith

Consultant

Darren brings to the edge a strong background in managerial roles within the franchising industry, sales, marketing and business development.

He carries over 15 years experience in business and his skills include implementing business improvement procedures, commercial lease negotiation and site selection and extensive knowledge of the Franchising Code of Conduct.

Darren has completed a Graduate Diploma of Management and is part way through his Master of Business Administration (Marketing).

He has well-rounded experience from his previous employment to be able to implement business, sales and marketing plans, communicate effectively and build professional rapports, undertake franchisee selection and recruitment, develop and implement training and systems, prove his negotiation skills and develop client relationships.

Fletcher McKenzie
Consultant

Beginning at 19 by launching one of New Zealand's first Direct Marketing clubs in 1991, that grew to over 10,000 members in 9 months. He went on to be a Director of Dynamite at 23, followed by a Directorship of Magnet - a direct marketing agency at 25, and one year later adding a marketing company to his portfolio, Fletcher has worked for a number of multinational brands over the past 12 years.  

His experience is supported by a Diploma in Advertising and Marketing, a Bachelor of Business and a Graduate Diploma in Marketing.   Serving on the Auckland EO Board for four years and with two years experience as the South Pacific Area Director for EO (Entrepreneur Organisation) - the premier peer-to-peer network and  resource for entrepreneurs.  Fletcher's involvement in EO has cemented relationships around the world for business information exchange. 

To add to this resource, Fletcher worked with franchises such as Green Acres Home Services, Garador Garage Doors (B&D Doors), Muffin Break, Hydraulink Fluid Connectors, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo,  Citroen, DuPont, BB's Coffee & Bake, among others over the last 12 years.

He has travelled extensively throughout the world, attending learning events and listening to speakers as diverse as Malaysia, Egypt, UAE and the USA. This experience gives a unique cultural perspective not usually available in New Zealand.

Fletcher's other interests are diverse, ranging from abseiling to snowboarding, flying light aircraft and occasionally has been spotted paragliding around New Zealand.

Kevin Dawkins

Strategist and Consultant

From the outset Kevin was determined to make a significant contribution to New Zealand business.  His career began with an invitation to join the acclaimed Executive Development and Leadership programmes for AHI and Ceramco, two of New Zealand's largest and most progressive organisations.

Whilst with Ceramco and AHI Kevin worked extensively throughout the engineering, building products and ceramics industries.  It was through these experiences that Kevin developed what he considers to be essential management, organisational and people skills.

In 1983 Kevin turned his entrepreneurial talents to running his own business and was one of the founding partners in Gulf Star Products, a company which today is renowned for its global success with the "Line 7" range of casual wear and marine apparel. Since that time Kevin has owned and operated six successful businesses in industries as diverse as apparel, electronics, property investment, business consulting and training, and personal development.

Driven by a desire to share his business knowledge and experience, Kevin began developing the Results Group SME Business Development system in 1996.  After successfully licensing the business in 2001, Kevin developed the organisation into one of New Zealand's most respected Business Development and Coaching companies – with over fifty franchises nationwide.  He exited this business in 2005 and today works directly with a select group of fast growth companies and business owners.

Since 1996 Kevin has since conducted over 450 speaking engagements, reaching an audience of 37,000 business owners throughout New Zealand and helped hundreds of small-to-medium businesses to unlock their growth potential.

Kevin is a sought after speaker, coach, motivator and facilitator. He teaches clients to optimise their sales and profit potential, whilst achieving balance and fulfilment in both their personal and professional lives.

Stuart Deeks – Strategist and Consultant

Current Director of Esquires Coffee Houses

Stuart Deeks is one of the co-founders of Esquires. His extensive international commercial background has included senior regional business development responsibilities with DHL based in Saudi Arabia and London, 3 years as General Manager of Polaroid's Middle East operations and 3 years running Nichols International's food and beverage retail business in the Middle East and Africa.

In 2001 after 12 years abroad Stuart purchased the Master Franchise for New Zealand for Esquires Coffee Houses a Canadian franchise system and in five short years has built the business into one of the country's most successful café brands with close to 40 franchisees now trading or about to launch. Stuart has extensive experience in the franchising arena and has built his business from scratch into a company that for the past two years has been named New Zealand's best food and beverage franchise system at the national franchise awards. This year he has purchased the rights to Africa, Middle East, Asia Pacific and is actively marketing his company around the world with a view to opening the first new territories in Q4 2007.

Dean Prebble

Strategist and Consultant

Dean Prebble is Director of Unitec's New Zealand Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.  Dean was founding partner of one of New Zealand's earliest bio-tech sharemarket listings, ARPAC International Ltd, in 1985.  Following this he was a senior equities analyst with CS First Boston and then led the strategic planning area for Ernst & Young Entrepreneurial Services Division (New Zealand). Dean teaches Finance on Unitec's Master of Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship programme.  He completed his MCom with a thesis on franchising and has been consulting to the sector for over ten years.  He was recently part of a team that brought the Australian barbequed chicken franchise, Red Rooster, to New Zealand.

Stuart Chrisp

Strategist, Executive Board

Stuart has had diverse experience in business and corporate environments. After graduating from Otago University he initially practised law with Sharp Tudhope in Tauranga, New Zealand and subsequently has had an extensive career in banking and finance both in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. During that time Stuart worked with the National Bank of New Zealand (formally part of Lloyds Bank PLC) and broking firm, Hill Samuel, County Natwest and Hoare Govett in the United Kingdom. Stuart has held a wide range of positions including: project management, strategic planning, corporate banking and business unit management.

Stuart also has strong entrepreneurial skills and was responsible for bringing the first Subway Sandwich franchises to New Zealand. After selling the franchises, Stuart joined a specialist executive recruitment company and built a strong recruitment and executive leasing business. For the last six years Stuart has specialised in recruiting mid to senior management roles including CEO, GM, CFO, COO and financial controller positions across a range of sectors including investment, distribution, technical , professional services, banking and finance. Stuart also works with a number of private equity and venture management companies recruiting key executives for new venture and high growth companies in sectors including materials technology, IT and biotech.

Stuarts key interests are his family, travel and skiing. Stuart is a board member for the Auckland Chapter of Young Entrepreneurs Organisation and a national judge for the NZ Students in Free Enterprise programme.

In addition to our consultant team we have a sensational administration support team that allows us total focus on our clients' business.