100 People Behind Bay Business - 2023

BUSINESS BROKING | PEOPLE
STEVE CATLEY
broker, link business
Steve Catley understands the complexities of preparing a business
for sale. Committed to excellence, when you’re working with
Steve, you can feel assured that your business in the best hands!
“MY APPROACH TO
BUSINESS WAS BOTH
DEVELOPED AND NURTURED
IN MY EARLY DAYS AT BP. IT
IS SOMETHING THAT HAS HELD
ME IN GREAT STEAD.”
A
proud Bay of Plenty local, Steve spent
26 years at BP in a variety of roles
including operations, storage & handling
and nationwide fuel distribution. One
of Steve’s many career highlights was managing
Wiri Oil Services (an industry-owned storage and
distribution centre) which processes almost two
billion litres of fuel each year.
After leaving BP Oil, Steve bought into a
Tauranga manufacturing company, later taking
up full ownership. Over his 17 years of
ownership, Steve developed the
operation into a $1M+ business
before successfully selling it
through LINK in 2018.
Impressed with how his
LINK broker managed the sale
process, Steve subsequently
joined LINK as a business
broker himself. He has twice
received company-wide
recognition and was recognised
for excellence in 2022 when
he achieved LINK’s
Chairmans Club
status, an
accolade
only
awarded to the top business brokers within LINK’s
wide network.
One of the constants over Steve’s career is his
love of motor racing. He is an avid fan of Formula
One (F1), Indy Car and Australian V8 Supercars.
Steve has attended a number of Grand Prix events
in Australia and the Indy 500 in the USA. He also
regularly serves as Support/Pit Crew for a friend
who often participates in local race meets.
Another constant throughout Steve’s career
is his approach to business and to life. Steve
is detailed and process-focused, calm under
pressure and professional. “My approach to
business was both developed and nurtured in my
early days at BP. It is something that has held me
in great stead; especially now when I’m brokering
the purchase and sale of multi-million-dollar
businesses,” Steve says.
Steve combines his steady manner with strong
interpersonal and communication skills, guiding
business owners in the sale of their business, an
experience that many have not previously had.
“Those who have used Steve Catley to sell
their business all emphasise his professionalism,
his communication skills, the clear method and
his friendly approach taken throughout the sale
process,” says Steve Matthews, LINK’s NZ Business
Development Manager .
Having both prepared his own business for sale
and brokered a large number of sales as a LINK
business broker, Steve certainly understands the
complexities and processes involved in the sale of
a high value business.
This knowledge, combined with his steady
methodical personality, natural professionalism,
reassuring manner and personal communication
skills typically proves invaluable when it comes to
achieving the best results.
Craig McCulloch of Prime Strategies Group
says, “I have now recommended Steve three times
when clients of mine have decided to sell their
businesses. My advice both to my clients and to
others looking to sell their high value business
is simple – contact Steve Catley!”
14 | 100 – PEOPLE BEHIND BAY BUSINESS | 2023