Career change for high flyer

He's gone from being a corporate banking high-flyer to hot desking as a strategic consultant - and he couldn't be happier.

When Darren McGarvie was named last year's Rotorua Emerging Young Business Person of the Year, he was the managing partner and acting head of Maori business at BNZ Partners, having worked for BNZ on and off since 1997. He was managing a team of 30 and controlling budgets in the tens of millions.

But three months ago he left behind the world of big corporate business and created Flair Consulting - teaming up with wife Rachael McGarvie who runs communications and marketing consultancy Flair Marketing.

"I've had all the challenges of starting a business ... and figuring out what our point of difference is in the market."

For a "westie" (he's originally from West Auckland) he's pretty passionate about Rotorua, where he and Rachael have chosen to raise their three children, and wants others to be just as proud of the city.

"We have the opportunity to make Rotorua the Queenstown of the North Island - a place everybody wants to come to live, to work, to play and invest."

The McGarvies' skills complement each other and already a number of companies have taken advantage of the "duel brand" Flair group.

As well as supporting entrepreneurs, Mr McGarvie's main passion is change and helping companies through it.

"I want to help businesses going through change whether it's what's happening in their industry or market or because they need to consolidate growth," he said.

He said change needed leadership, something he hoped to offer through help with governance, strategic planning or just giving an independent view.

Another priority for Flair is setting up a web page of Bay of Plenty business support organisations, for the benefit of new and existing business owners.

"At the moment you need to trawl through up to a dozen different business support websites. This will bring it together in one place."

Mr McGarvie is the founder of Rotorua X, a networking group for young Rotorua professionals and business owners. He's also part of the Taupo Chamber of Commerce, involved with Enterprise Angels, is a member of the Institute of Directors and works with export companies - among others.

Unsurprisingly for a man with so many connections, another Flair goal is to "drive connectedness".

"There must be a way of bringing everyone together to own the vision for Rotorua."

He's also committed to Maori business - something he strongly believes is key to the growth of Rotorua.

"For us to grow as an economy we need to facilitate investment and nurture activity of Maori," he said. "I want to drive an increased level of collaboration and communication between the traditional business community and iwi."

It's not just talk - he's already involved with Grow Rotorua and iwi, looking at how to break down barriers and create opportunities for Te Arawa economic growth.

He's also helping Grow Rotorua try to create an environment where the city's entrepreneurs can turn ideas into reality.

With so much going on, how has he enjoyed the consulting work so far?

"I am enjoying the flexibility ... and the freedom to explore business opportunities," he said.

And what about working with family?

"A family business is a challenge. We've got to recognise we have different skills and experience ... at the moment we support each other well as a sounding board."