Darren Wallis studied and completed a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Queensland. Darren is a Fellow and Certified Practising Accountant, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and in 2017 completed a Bachelor of Laws. In 2001 Darren was awarded the prestigious Young Accountant of the Year Award, in 2012 was listed by CPA in the ’40 under 40 Young Business Leaders’ and in 2012 and 2014 a finalist for the CEO’s Magazine ‘Construction Executive of the Year’. Darren has sat on various boards including Not for Profits and School boards.
He started with GJ Gardner Homes in 1994 as an Accountant involved in the daily running of the business concerning all financial matters, assisted and worked with the computer programmer in the development of the current franchise software program. Darren became a Director and Partner of the Franchisor Company in 1996 and in 2000 was appointed as the Franchisor’s CEO / Managing Director with then 20 franchisees and has built the business to now over 120 franchisees. GJ Gardner Homes is currently listed as 117/200 franchises in the Top 200 Franchises Worldwide (according to Group Turnover). In 2013 GJ Gardner Homes was ranked the eighth largest builder in Australia and the largest builder in New Zealand and is currently Australia’s number one franchised business company. In late 2020 after 20 years as the CEO, Darren handed over the CEO reigns and moved to Chair of the board. Under Darren’s leadership GJ Gardner homes had group sales of new homes of over $1.8 Billion in his final 12 months as CEO / MD.
Darren is also a founding director of Smith & Sons Renovations & Extensions, Total Fitouts and Good Bean provides strategic direction for the same.
Darren also hosts a unique fishing show aired on free to air with his two brothers called My Fishing Place.
Darren’s inspirational success story, knowledge and influence as an Australian businessman has also seen him present to executives on the global stage, providing audiences with a unique insight into the trials and tribulations of international expansion.
Helping people with their business is a passion of Darrens and he also consults to various business’s. Especially in relation to Franchising.
Darren has four awesome boys and one beautiful little girl. In his spare time he loves to spend time with his family, fishing and the occasional game of golf.