We hope this message finds you well.

As Managing Director of Apex Insurance, I am writing to share significant news that marks a new and exciting phase for Apex and our clients. It is with great pleasure I can announce the acquisition of Apex Insurance by Howden Group.

The purchase of Apex means we are now aligned with a partner who shares our dedication, propelling us toward an even more promising future as part of a combined New Zealand broking business comprising of Apex, Wallace McLean, Howden Broking NZ, and Howden Care NZ.

As a privately-owned business, Howden’s independence was a key consideration, and this partnership brings a wealth of global insights, resources, and expertise, that will bolster our service offerings. Founded in 1994, Howden is a globally leading insurance group with employee ownership at its heart, providing insurance broking, reinsurance broking and underwriting services and solutions to clients ranging from individuals to the largest multinational companies.

Howden’s independence resonates with the ethos that has defined our business since Apex opened our doors in 1992. Our shared values and cultural alignment were the foundation of this partnership, and our decision to join forces with a UK-based group is grounded in the belief that your experience as clients will be enhanced by the leveraging capacity of a global operator who understands the strength of community focus and an independent spirit.

While this journey signals an exciting new chapter in our story, we want to emphasise our unwavering commitment to the principles that have guided us on our journey thus far. We understand that change can be met with a degree of uncertainty and I want to assure you that this transition is not about changing the direction of our company or uprooting our New Zealand-based service team.

In the time I have had the honour of being Managing Director of Apex, I have learned, above all, that our strength is in the stability of our relationships. Many of our clients have built their businesses alongside ours. Some have grown to become major industry players, others have remained family-run, had their children join them in their work, and transitioned into leadership positions. We have built our success on these longstanding relationships and lived the mantra of ‘walking in our client’s shoes’. Above all, I have learned the easy way that consideration and respect is at the forefront of successful partnerships.

I would like to pay tribute to our staff, who I - and the Leadership Team of Jill, Jo, Brent, John, and Julian - hold in the highest esteem. Together, we have weathered and excelled in a time of dramatic change in our industry; technological developments and market shifts, regulation changes, and in recent years, a bruising pandemic that challenged our fortitude, but drew us closer together in spirit. I am confident that in joining the Howden family, Apex’s access to a broader spectrum of resources positions us at the forefront of our evolving industry at a time of significant demand for insurance services in New Zealand.

And so as this exciting new chapter unfolds, we commit to keeping you informed every step of the way with transparency, clear communication, and an unyielding commitment to your good faith and trust. Our clients mean the world to us, and throughout this transformative process, we have taken pause to consider you, and how our decisions can improve rather than impact your businesses.

I am excited for the future of our business, and I hope you welcome this news as a further commitment to yours.

Warm regards,
James McGhie, Managing Director