About Us 
- the company
- the people
Working with Us 
Contact Us

The Business Development Club was established in 2001 to support the growth and development of organisations in the Wellington Region.

We use our expertise to assist people make informed business decisions. This support has ranged from business planning, risk assessment and funding applications; to specific projects in areas such as analysing investment options (including due diligence), business research and analysis, contract negotiation and consultation.


The Directors and Sue Piper (front right), Chairperson of the
City Council Economic Development Committee at the launch.

The Business Development Club is a catalyst for success for these companies. In chemistry a catalyst is 'an agent which causes or assists a chemical reaction without taking part in it'. When we work with an organisation, our services become the catalyst for their success.

The services The Business Development Club provide include:
• business planning
• business advice and mentoring
• risk management / insurance review
• investment analysis / due diligence
• client consultation

See 'working with us' for more detail and case studies of our work.

the people
The Business Development Club comprises a network of experienced people and their contacts. When working with clients the most skilled people are bought together to meet the needs of the project.

The key personnel in The Business Development Club are:

• Kevin O'Donnell

• Robin Gunston

Kevin specialises in business and financial management together with corporate governance. He has extensive senior management and board experience in the energy, transport and manufacturing industries. Kevin's strengths are general management, strategic and businesses planning, budgeting, accounting, forecasting, supply chain management and people management. Contact Kevin

Robin's specialities include risk management, strategic and business planning. His previous work experience is primarily within the energy sector and includes a number of management roles across the business. Robin's strengths are in general management, risk, insurance, strategic and business planning, establishing an internet presence and project management. Robin

Kevin and Robin work closely with:

• Leonie Black (Director)
   - provides expertise in organisation development, change management,
      human resources and training

• Keith Hales (Associate)
   - provides expertise in risk management and insurance

• Spencer Smith ACA (Associate)
   - provides expertise valuing businesses, accounting controls
      and practices

• Johan Olivier (Associate)
    - provides expertise in risk management, continuity planning,
       disaster recovery and statutory compliance

• Charles MacDonald (Associate)
   - provides expertise in assessment of management performance,
      financial assessment and reward systems

• Don Baskerville (Associate)
   - provides expertise in financial modelling and process improvement

For more information about our people and the way we work contact us.