About Us

Gavin Whiting

He has run businesses with turnovers ranging from $1mn to $150mn and therefore understands the challenges of small businesses and how to grow them.

His first career was professional/technical as a registered land surveyor. Running a service orientated business meant he had to learn about finance & accounting, marketing & sales, recruitment and systems the hard way - just like you.

In 1993 he completed a Master of Business Administration which filled in many gaps.  Despite this (ha ha), he has always taken a very pragmatic approach to business problem solving.

Changing careers completely, Gavin spent the following 8 years in a variety of roles within Fletcher Challenge corporate.  These included specialist project analysis, strategic marketing and new product development, business performance development, and then into operations management.

As manufacturing director of Fletcher Wood Panels he led a team of plant managers to raise the competency of 7 manufacturing plants from barely adequate to world class with revenues increasing by nearly $50mn over a 5 year period.  He also ran the company briefly before leaving.

Becoming a business coach had been his destiny where a strong general management background has blended extremely well with the Action International system of business coaching. Between 2002 and 2007 he achieved great results with his clients.

He returned to the corporate world for nearly 4 years and further developed his leadership and manufacturing capabilities in a senior management environment. He has again left and continues to work with business owners in a variety of capacities.

Gavin's highly motivated style will challenge the heights that you believe you are capable of and will become a trustworthy guide to building the business you know is possible.

Gavin has enough grey hair to show that he has done the hard yards, and enough vitality to get excited about the prospect of helping change a business owner's life for the better.

He lives on a small block in rural North Canterbury which he shares with partner Vivienne and 2 horses.

CV AVailable on request.

Vivienne Masters
She has extensive business experience, working at all levels within businesses ranging in size from $3m to $150m turnover.  Across smaller family owned organisations to publically listed corporations her breadth of roles has enabled her to understand and help manage many of the common issues facing businesses. 

From personal working experience from office administration in road transport, exporting of commodity products, customer service call centre, supply chain management in a global network – all had a common element that determined success; the management of people.  From this realisation she transitioned to a new career focus and for the past 15 years she has held senior Human Resources management roles mostly within Fletcher Building business units and more latterly with a privately owned company in Canterbury. 

In 2004 she completed a Post Grad. Dip. In Management Studies at Waikato to compliment extensive learning and development offered by Fletchers.  Currently undertaking further Post Grad studies with a focus on disputes resolution, for Vivienne learning never ends.

During her time at Fletcher Building she was at the forefront of business change providing practical and pragmatic support and solutions to business leaders during times of business integration, organisational restructure and significant events management.  Extensive experience in performance management, industrial relations, workplace health and safety, training and recruitment, she has the complete package.

Always looking to add value, Vivienne is passionate about making a difference or finding the right person who can.
Originally from the North Island she has recently embraced all that is great about the south and is now firmly anchored in the north Canterbury rural lifestyle with her partner Gavin.