About us 

Ivan has a strong business background with over 30 years' experience owning and guiding successful businesses. His business experience includes owning, managing and consulting roles spanning the FMCG, franchising, hospitality, manufacturing, wholesale distribution and travel industry sectors.

Apart from establishing a number of successful start-ups and new product initiatives Ivan has consulted, lectured and written extensively on the subjects of business: planning, development, sales, valuation, marketing and franchising. In addition, over the past 22 years, he has worked with New Zealand's leading immigration advisers and lawyers offering their clients a full range of business planning and acquisition services.

This makes him uniquely qualified to introduce your business to an impressive network of buyers from both here and overseas and to undertake an effective, professional, ethical and results-focused process to achieve the very best sale price and outcome.

Mobile: 027 288 8855
Email: ivan@divest.co.nz

"Thanks again for your hard work on the successful sale of my business. Having an unconditional offer after 3 weeks was a testament to your professionalism and skilful management of the whole process. The result (more than triple what other brokers said I would) was life changing. I will strongly recommend you to anyone who is thinking of selling their business. Looking forward to working with you again."
Nick Parkin, Managing Director
NFM Waterblasting

"We were absolutely blown away by Ivan Tava's integrity, astuteness and professionalism as well as the level of customer service he provided. Our business sold quickly and for top dollar! We will definitely be enlisting his services for all our future business sales here in Australia."
Sonya Driver, Founder & Creator
EcoTan

"Ivan has helped enormously in getting my business funded, his dedication, professionalism and determination came through again and again over a period of months, bringing in a range of investors of the highest caliber. Quite simply, we wouldn't be where we are today without him. I strongly recommend Ivan and the Divest team if you want to sell your business, buy a business or as in our case fund a business through investment. Thanks Ivan!"
Doug Bartlett, Managing Director
Aisleworx

"Ivan accepted the challenge of selling the distribution rights to our building system new to the New Zealand market, and succeeded admirably where others had failed. In doing so he applied an unparalleled level of diligence in learning about and fully understanding our product and business model and so capably conveying their benefits as only someone with Ivan's sales expertise could. I can't commend Ivan highly enough for his diligence, commitment and professionalism."
Myrna Blair, Director
MegaForm Building Systems

"We are absolutely amazed by the service we received from you in selling our business. We were in two minds on whether we should sell or not, but you made the whole process effortless. You exceeded our expectation, we were blown away when you got us a price more than we were asking. You kept us informed throughout the whole process, and we really appreciate your professionalism. We have owned and sold a few businesses before but this experience with you by far has been the best! We simply want to say Thank You."
Sahan and Shan Thummodarage, Directors
D'Baron Accessories

"You told me that you would have it sold by Christmas and at the time I thought it was quite a stretch but then it happened. You sold it on the 23 December as promised. Your attention to detail and making yourself understand the complexity of this business was second to none. You were often working in the wee small hours and weekends to achieve your target and nothing seemed to ever be a problem. We thank you very much for your high quality of work and professionalism during the whole process. We would most certainly use you again."
Roy Veal, Director
Epic Adventures

"Your commitment, professionalism and attention to detail in the sale of our business were second to none. This made the stress of selling the business so much easier. Once an interested buyer was found, your skills/expertise in negotiating the final outcome were excellent, ensuring we achieved the full asking price. We would not hesitate to recommend your services in the future to anyone interested in selling their business."
Chris & Janice Walsh, Directors
Pacific Cartons International

"I had the pleasure of working with Ivan Tava on the sale of my plumbing and drainage business in 2017. The process, in which Ivan handled the Information Memorandum to the completion of the Sale and Purchase Agreement, was professionally and expertly controlled. Potential purchasers were well screened and strict confidentiality was maintained at all times. His professionalism and in-depth understanding of businesses made my business sale flow smoothly, and his easy, personable approach helped with the final transition. I fully recommend Ivan to any business owner wishing to sell their business."
Jason Lally, Director (Vendor)
Plumbco

"I met Ivan Tava while negotiating the purchase of a business within the construction industry. The sale involved a number of aspects that made the sale process very complex. Ivan was able to identify the critical items and saved the sale from not going ahead a number of times. He worked with both the Vendor and myself to ensure the process didn't break down and both parties logically moved forward and didn't get weighted down with details. I am very happy with the purchase of the business and Ivan has continued to assist nearly 12 months following the sale and is always available to provide assistance.

Due to the success and promise of the business I purchased through Ivan I decided to dedicate myself more fully, than originally anticipated, to its development. As a result I decided to sell another business in which I was involved as I could no longer dedicate the time I felt it required. I therefore approached Ivan to appraise the business I wanted to sell. I was delighted when he determined he was likely to achieve a significantly higher price than I had expected. Within 2 months Ivan provided me with 3 potential buyers and negotiated the successful sale with a price that was 15% higher than I had expected.

I would not hesitate to recommend Ivan as an agent for any potential Vendor or Purchaser. As a purchaser Ivan is able to investigate potential businesses and narrow down businesses that suit the purchaser. As a Vendor Ivan works tirelessly to work with potential purchasers to inform fully of their ability to produce a successful sale to a purchaser that has the capacity to continue in the success of the business. I have worked with Ivan over the past 18 months and found him to be an honest, hard-working agent with the ability to negotiate, identify and work through the intricacies of selling businesses. Ivan has a talent of fitting buyers with suitable businesses with the requirements that suit their skills. This talent I feel is his best asset as after the negotiation has been completed it leaves both parties happy with the process."
Mike Gibson, Managing Director
Plumbco (Buyer) Allely Estate (Vendor)

"We would definitely recommend Divest Business Sales to anyone buying or selling a business. Ivan and Vernon worked hard to sell our wholesale business and found the perfect people to buy it. We appreciate their professionalism in managing this complex process and making it as stress-free as possible."
Sara and Steve Pritchard, Directors
The Essents Company

"We engaged Ivan because our business was uniquely positioned as a key player in a niche market and we felt it would need a high level of understanding and personal service to achieve a good result."

Having owned the business for almost 30 years, we were not familiar with the sales process and were also keen to ensure that confidentiality was maintained. Ivan guided us through with patience, wisdom and expertise to achieve a good result in a difficult market.

Ivan more than lived up to our expectations: his communication with all parties and level of service to both buyers and sellers went above and beyond, and made the deal happen. We have no doubt that we made the right choice and would recommend Ivan to others.
Simon & Lorraine Lord, Directors
Franchise NZ Marketing Limited

"We had a tricky situation to sell, as we had doubled the size of the business with an acquisition that was only 11 months prior, so Ivan had to show the future size of the business based off only 11 months' worth a turnover, a feat that Ivan took on with relish and managed to find a buyer who not only fitted what we were looking for in someone to take over our business and staff, he managed to find the right price we were looking for, and in a surprisingly short amount of time. We at first evaluated trying to sell it ourselves, however after seeing Ivan at work and how he weeded out the time wasters and took care of the detail, we now would only trust Ivan with any future business."
Daniel Noyce, Managing Director
PPS Group Limited