About Us

SDR was established in Auckland, New Zealand in 1996. Initially acting as an international trade consultancy, it has become a boutique merger and acquisition consultancy.

We specialise in advising companies wishing to establish a presence in the European, American, Asian and Australasian market and vice versa. Support is provided in setting up local offices, new ventures, partnerships, mergers or acquisitions.

Drawing on its in-house expertise, wide international experience and a group of strategic partners, SDR assist clients on each step of the way to achieving their expansion goals. We undertake the initial market surveys and industry analysis, through to target identification, due diligence and valuation studies, negotiations, financing of deals, right to the final conclusion of a transaction.

We also provide further managerial assistance to the new ventures by drawing up implementation strategies and business plans, locating suitable personnel and management support, and acting on their board of directors for a transitional period.

SDR’s approach to its clients is to become part of their team, working in close partnership – acting as their local representative where required. Rather than guiding clients to follow our preferred models and methods, we tailor-make our services to meet their exact requirements. We believe that good personal relationships are essential for creating the level of understanding and trust required to conduct this type of business successfully and with integrity.

Our People

The SDR management team is the key asset of the company. Between the two principals, they have over 30 years of experience in general management, international trading, diplomatic services, entrepreneurial ventures, finance, marketing, project management and engineering. Both have strong academic and practitioner credentials and have a history of success and high achievement. They also both have experience in managing companies from the start-up phase to grow into successful, well-respected enterprises. SDR’s people have a broad vision of the world and a keen interest in history, sociology and philosophy. This underpins our ethical considerations, the way we conduct our business and our dealings with different cultures.

Stephen DiverManaging Director

Stephen Diver the Managing Director of SDR, has had extensive professional experience in New Zealand, Germany, Austria, Poland, Australia and Russia. After working for the New Zealand Treasury as an economist and serving as the New Zealand Trade Commissioner to Germany and Eastern Europe for 6 years, he returned to New Zealand to set up SDR.

Dr. Anton DaubnerPrincipal

Dr Anton Daubner is located in Dortmund, Germany. Anton primarily supports SDR clients in Europe and North America. For more than 10 years, he was managing director of companies in the mechanical and process engineering, agricultural, and food industries. He served as CEO of WestfaliaSurge, an international dairy industry player with several hundred million Euro turnover, where he integrated acquisitions and reorganised the international organisation.

team

Monique SurgesGerman Trade Representative

Monique Surges is primarily engaged as the German Trade Representative for the German Chambers of Commerce. She also supports Stephen in his similar function as the Austrian Trade Representative.

Ryno VersterDirector

Ryno Verster started his career as an electrical engineer, specialising in design and later in project management. In recent years he has branched out to finance and financial modelling. His professional experience extends across South Africa, New Zealand, Lesotho and Switzerland.

Ryno works predominantly in analysing and valuing businesses, developing financial models and assisting with strategic planning.