Apex General managing director James McGhie says he is proud of the firm, which he describes as new school, young, lean, fast and responsive.
“I love going to work, and each day brings new challenges. The keys for me are protecting the future of businesses and people by ensuring we only do what’s best for our customers, remain independent and give good advice,” he exclaims.
McGhie began his insurance career after meeting two friends whose fathers were A&A directors while he was studying and packing shelves at Pak’nSave.
“They seemed to have pretty good lives which gave me the drive to push on into insurance,” he says.
“I followed the push, benefiting from my network as a home-grown New Zealander, and ultimately enjoying a fantastic journey over the past 20 years in an industry that affords much opportunity for upward movement.”
McGhie can trace his determination to succeed back to his time at Dilworth School where he benefited from the school’s encouragement to better himself and remember that his life has purpose.
McGhie elaborates that before his current position he worked at two global insurance firms and enjoyed roles in departments as diverse as account management and business development.
“Even though I enjoyed these roles I wanted to get into a focused and driven business like Apex where I would be in a position to influence others,” he says.
“We work hard at Apex so it’s important to celebrate our successes and learn from our failures,” he says. Having a good work/life balance is extremely important for the business and I encourage staff to get out and exercise daily.”
As for himself, he says balance is about allocating time between: business; sport, including his new found love of triathlons; Apex-sponsored events; and family.
“I have my wife Louise and three lovely kids Isla (7), Patrick (6) and Hamish (3),” he says.
“Sometimes work can be stressful and I have had to learn to leave work at work and really enjoy my home time even though it can be difficult to do at times.”
McGhie says his love of music, which is wide ranging from The Smiths to Mike Oldfield and U2, always settles him.
“And add a succulent steak to the mix (I’m a glutton for punishment), a good craft beer, and quality outdoors time, including camping with the family, and I’m a happy man,” he says.
As to the higher aspects of life, McGhie says he dearly values family, family values, community and the environment.
He says he admires Lance Armstrong because even though he clearly made mistakes in the past he is owning up to them and trying his best to redress the imbalance. "When watching him on a podcast I noticed a big difference in the way he carries himself and speaks to his audience. Overall he is trying his best to protect his family, put the past behind him and move on in a postive way, and this should be acknowledged."
McGhie says he is also keenly involved in any initiatives or programs that support eco-friendliness and sustainability.
“Apex is also big on this, and regularly gets involved in projects like Rotoroa Island or the clean-up of New Zealand’s waterways through Million Metres streams projects,” he points out.
“Apex was the first insurance broker in the world to receive a carboNZero certification and our credits are used to support the Hinewai Reserve. This part of New Zealand is incredibly beautiful and it has reinforced the why, who and where – we made a really good choice.”
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