In Adam's first FMG Post as CEO, he shares his thoughts on what it means to be leading FMG.
Kia ora koutou katoa,
I hope you have all had a relaxing and enjoyable summer with your loved ones. As this is my first FMG Post as CEO I would just like to share a few thoughts with you on what it means to me to be leading FMG.
This is a unique organisation with a special legacy and a history stretching back some 117 years and the principles that FMG were founded on are alive and well and stronger than ever.
Chris Black deserves a huge amount of credit for creating a great culture and leading the organisation through a period of strong growth. I consider it a great privilege to be entrusted with that legacy and see it as my responsibility to honour Chris’ contribution in addition to those who came before him. FMG’s brand essence is ‘Achievement’, and I can see that drive and ambition is alive and well with our people.
FMG is an iconic New Zealand brand run by passionate people. The people who work here live and breathe its values. The culture benefits from being values based and purpose driven. These are more than just words on a piece of paper—they are lived every day. Purpose and mission come through very strongly in FMG’s commitment to creating a better deal for rural New Zealand as well as helping to build strong and prosperous rural communities.
So, what attracted me to the role? I have a deeply held belief in the social good provided by insurance. Very few things compare to the feeling you get when you deliver keys to a new home to someone who’s suffered a total loss due to a fire— or when you are supporting someone through a traumatic health event. Money doesn’t make these experiences whole, but it provides a critical lifeline and choices to our clients at critical moments in their lives.
During my time so far I’ve been focused on getting out and meeting our people, the leadership team, Board and external stakeholders. My goal is to visit every regional office and meet every senior leader in my first six months, Covid-19 permitting. I’ve got my first on-farm visit under my belt and look forward to many more.
On a personal note, I’m excited to be moving our family to a lifestyle block in the Manawatū. Funnily enough, several of my new neighbours work at FMG.
I’m also looking forward to attending events when we can and meeting as many of you as possible. Relationships are what the rural sector is all about and they’re at the core of what we do at FMG— particularly those with our long-standing strategic partners, Federated Farmers and Farmlands.
I’m excited to learn more about the important role Farmstrong is now playing in the sector as I’m personally passionate about wellbeing issues and think it’s a fantastic initiative. I will be doing all I can to continue its wonderful momentum and support its growth.
I’m honoured to be the new CEO at FMG and am looking forward to leading the Mutual into the next phase of our story. We will continue to be a relationship-based and advice-led insurer that backs our farmers and growers. Our reason for being here is to help you prepare for the inevitable ups and downs of farming and growing, so you feel secure enough to be bold and take risks—confident knowing that we’ll be there to support you when it matters.
Kind regards / Ngā mihi,
Adam Heath Chief Executive, FMG
