We understand that running a successful business takes significant effort. WheelHouse works alongside you to set your direction, and provides practical support for better operations and outcomes.
Welcome to
wheelhouse
WheelHouse is a Christchurch-based business consultancy that works closely with the owners of SME businesses to help them evolve and thrive. We bring extensive hands-on experience in leadership, management and the practical realities of running a business. Combined with your knowledge and drive, we form a powerful partnership – one that can align your business with your vision and deliver sustainable success for the future.
How we help
businesses
We bring business expertise, experience, and strategic insight. Together, we'll tackle the challenges holding you back and build powerful momentum for lasting success.
Here are some of the typical scenarios you may be experiencing:
1 / 6
You’re stuck in day-to-day work with no clear growth or exit strategy. There’s no plan to build a self-sustaining, valuable business.
We’ll help you create strategies to unlock potential, reduce owner dependency, and build scalable, valuable assets.
2 / 6
The business seems to be underperforming financially. Profit margins are tight, and sales or delivery processes aren’t efficient.
Our approach boosts profitability by optimising marketing, sales, and delivery for sustainable growth.
3 / 6
Operations are complex, time-consuming and draining. Inefficiencies, unclear structure, and weak systems slow the business.
Through simplification, we reduce friction by refining structure and improving systems to make life easier, lower stress and give you back time.
4 / 6
Something within your team doesn’t gel. Productivity suffers, roles overlap, and culture doesn’t support performance.
We focus on building high-performing teams with strengthened alignment and clear roles, a strong culture, and effective systems.
5 / 6
Gaps in leadership strengths and skills may be holding your business back. Although you and your managers have amazing talents in your specialist areas, you may not possess the necessary skills to lead the business.
Our goal is to strengthen leadership and management capabilities to improve decision-making and confidence.
6 / 6
Complex or unfamiliar challenges or rapid growth create risk and uncertainty. You find yourself lacking the business experience to navigate them.
As well as providing practical solutions, support, clarity and direction for a wide range of high-stakes issues, we’re a sounding board and a sympathetic ear.
Every positive action has a ripple effect. We achieve continuous progress through a three-phase approach:
PHASE 1
Discovery
Identify the key challenges your business is facing through a focused and objective discovery process.
Conduct a data-driven analysis across 12 core business areas to evaluate potential impact and uncover opportunities for improvement.
Review the insights and define clear, strategic next steps to drive meaningful and measurable results.
PHASE 2
Planning
Formulate detailed planning around the key business areas reviewed during the Discovery phase.
Develop the plan with specific, achievable actions that will achieve the required result.
Identify capability needs for key staff and support upskilling.
Identify and implement quick wins to deliver immediate impact for your business.
PHASE 3
Implementation
Implement the plan at a sustainable pace that supports progress without disrupting day-to-day operations.
Strengthen financial and management oversight to improve decision-making and performance tracking.
Enhance organisational structure and business processes to increase efficiency and scalability.
Foster a stronger organisational culture and improve teamwork to support long-term success.
Meet our
Founder
Will Horridge
Will Horridge is a highly experienced business leader and consultant with a background spanning multinational operations and complex national change projects. He’s led large-scale operational teams of 1,000+ staff, served as head of operations for a listed multinational, and worked in a global big-four consulting firm specialising in change, organisational structure, and business process improvement.
Will’s leadership journey began as an army officer where he developed the discipline, structure and teamwork that now shape his approach to business. His work has included major national initiatives such as the set-up of Health NZ and the Māori Health Authority, and the corporate separation of One NZ from Vodafone.
He brings this depth of experience to the SME sector, working alongside business owners to reduce complexity, improve performance and create an environment in which their business thrives.
Andy Walker
International
and Sector Engagement Lead Education New Zealand
“I had the pleasure of working with Will during a challenging business transformation. He brought strong, thoughtful leadership and quickly earned the respect of those around him. Will identified strengths and areas for improvement, brought clarity to complexity, and optimised performance. He led inclusive change with a calm, professional manner. An astute business professional with a wide skillset, I highly recommend Will.”
Liz Bennett
Founder and GM Busy Lizzy Gardens
“Working with Will was a game-changer for my business. He helped develop a clear growth strategy and got everyone on board. With real-world experience and deep business insight, he guided me through the process in a pragmatic, optimistic way. If you're a business owner needing guidance, Will will help you shift from working in the business to working on it. Highly recommended for becoming more strategic and organised all whilst providing a much needed shoulder to cry on!”
Kevin McCaffrey
Principal My Governance
“I’ve worked with Will for over a decade across a range of businesses, from global organisations to SMEs. He brings clarity, insight and practical solutions that drive results. Will cuts through complexity to focus on what matters most. His calm, positive and supportive style resonates with business owners and helps them navigate challenges. With a background in the Services, GM roles and global consulting, he brings experience, proven methods and discipline to every engagement.”
Lorna Curran
General Manager
“I worked alongside Will during major organisational change. He brought focus and direction, drawing on deep leadership experience to keep the team moving forward with confidence. He balanced structure and discipline with genuine support – listening, guiding, and encouraging us to stretch while ensuring we felt supported. I learned a great deal from Will and would recommend him to any organisation needing clear, people-first leadership through complexity.”
Simon Mason
Deputy Chief Executive (fmr)
“Will is an exceptional leader who combines strategic vision with genuine people-focused leadership. Will was the lead enabler for me who successfully developed the change strategy for a large, complex organisation and then took the organisation through a major once in a generation transformation. Will was able operate under pressure and deliver results with integrity and resilience, inspiring confidence and commitment in those he leads.”
Alex Voloscuka
Head of Change Kiwibank
“I have had the pleasure of working with Will on a number of occasions. He consistently demonstrates a calm, clear-headed approach to navigating challenging situations. His ability to remain composed and supportive during high-pressure periods is a stabilising force. Will brings a wealth of experience across industries and business challenges, offering thoughtful insight and strategic direction. He is personable and genuinely caring in his leadership, fostering a positive team spirit. His professionalism, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving make him a valuable asset and collaborator.”
Let’s chat
Whether you have a clear vision for improvement or just a sense that things could run more efficiently, this is where progress begins. Let’s chat.
Phone
022 305 1336