Auckland firm to expand into the Capital

Auckland firm to expand into the Capital

While many businesses are heading for northern pastures, Auckland-based firm Platform 1TM is doing the opposite — next month they will set up an office in Wellington.

Platform 1 assists business owners to transition from being owner/managers in their businesses to becoming founder investors. They cater for business owners who want to increase the wealth in their businesses but have either run out of ideas or energy and might be looking for an alternative to selling. Part of the process is to introduce a General Manager who will later take a minority shareholding if everything works out.

“We give business owners an alternative to selling their businesses outright ... they get a better income stream and better lifestyle,” says Geoff Shaw (Partner).

Mr. Shaw explains that Platform 1 has evolved from their executive search and recruitment business, Saturn Group, over the past 12 years. “Leadership transition is different to executive search and recruitment. It requires much more assessment at the front end and more in-depth understanding of where the business owner wants to go and what their business needs,” he says. Mr. Shaw says that over 12 years, they have facilitated more than 45 leadership transitions. During this time, they have learned what works and what doesn’t; what the critical factors are for success.

“We’ve done a long apprenticeship. This has given us the ability to deliver great results,” he says. “We are seen as business people in recruitment, not just recruiters. We understand what it’s like being in business.

Mr. Shaw says there are other organisations that assist with succession planning, like banks, chartered accountants and professional advisory firms. However, Platform 1 is different because they focus on the people side of businesses.

Why is Platform 1 setting up in Wellington?

“There are huge opportunities in Wellington and throughout the North Island ... it makes sense to bookend the North Island from Auckland and Wellington,” says Mr. Shaw.

He says that businesses operating outside the main centres tend to get overlooked: “They fall off the radar — some of our biggest successes have been in the regions.”

Mr. Shaw says the reception received in Wellington and throughout the North Island has been very positive.

“It’s like anything — if you show some real interest and put in the effort, you’ll be successful,” he says.

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