Joe La Grouw takes on BNZ role

Rotorua Businessperson of the Year Joe La Grouw has been appointed the chairman of BNZ Partners Centre Central Plateau.

The appointment was announced last night at the opening of the new BNZ Partners Centre on Amohau St - a new facility offering customers business space and technology for meetings and functions, as well as business banking services.

La Grouw's experience running his own businesses in Auckland before coming home to Rotorua to lead Lockwood will be used in the role, aimed at supporting Central Plateau managing partner Darren McGarvie and his team.

The chairman programme is an initiative from the BNZ and La Grouw was chosen for the local role because of his experience and passion for Rotorua.

"It is one of the most spectacular parts of the country and there is nowhere I would rather live and do business."

He also has a vision for the future of Rotorua and was part of the group involved in creating Rotorua District Council's Economic Growth Strategy.

"Rotorua needs to grow business to expand and improve employment for its residents as well as having the ability to improve the local infrastructure."

La Grouw, who has been a BNZ customer for 60 years, said he was looking forward to his new role.

"It's an exciting programme the bank is running and I have been very impressed with how it has been progressing recently."

McGarvie said La Grouw's appointment was a triumph for the bank and he was looking forward to working with him.

"Joe will help by facilitating introductions to corporate clients, as well as providing the bank with a voice of the community and sharing his tremendous entrepreneurial experience with clients."

McGarvie encouraged customers at the opening to make use of the new facilities, which the business banking group has moved to after 102 years at its premises on the corner of Fenton and Hinemoa streets.

"We hope this will become a hub for local business. It is your facility to use as you see fit, from trade shows and product launches to holding AGMs."

BNZ Partners director Anthony Healy said the bank had invested $40 million in creating these centres around New Zealand to provide facilities that many Kiwi businesses needed.

"New Zealand business people tend to be quite entrepreneurial. They invest in what makes them money, but not necessarily in front of house, which seems a bit of a luxury."

Healy said customers could use any centres nationwide to meet with clients and suppliers or hold video conferences.