• Rob Gunston and Blake Douglas

Succession underway at Benefitz

Change is in the air at Benefitz, publishers of Channel Magazine. The company’s succession programme is well underway, with the retirement of two long-serving shareholders in 2024, along with the emergence of two new shareholders.

During 2024, both Dallas Bennett and Robert Johnson retired from the business. Dallas had spent 35 years in the business and Robert also had over three decades of involvement with the North Shore based business.
As a result of these retirements Blake Douglas and Rob Gunston have become shareholders in the business. They join founders Aidan and Michelle Bennett and long-term shareholder Mike Nolan as owners.
Rob Gunston has been with Benefitz for 14 years. He has a strong creative and IT background in both the UK and New Zealand. Rob became general manager of Benefitz in 2016 and plays an important part in the day-to-day management of the company that includes 70 people. Rob is married to Kay, they have one daughter, Emily, who is studying at Auckland University.
Blake Douglas has been with Benefitz for over 20 years, starting as a driver and working in just about every production area of the diverse business before becoming an account manager. He now leads the sales team at Benefitz and plays an important part in the overall management of the business. Blake is married to Kellie, and they have two young children, son Rocco (7) and daughter Stevie (4).
“It is an exciting time for our business with younger people starting to take the helm,” says founder and managing director Aidan Bennett. “Both Dallas and Robert played an integral part in the success of the business over a long period, and they will be missed. But the injection of the fresh energy that both Rob and Blake are providing is important for our future. They know our business inside and out, and as they have been with us for a long time, they share our ethos and values. As such, we will remain a family business that is committed to integrity, innovation, as well as our people and community.”

Visit: benefitz.co.nz