Living the Values Awards 2026: Celebrating Our People

At Apex, our Values aren't just words - they shape how we support our customers, collaborate as a team, and deliver real results every day.

On Saturday 18th July, we celebrated the individuals who truly embody those values at our Living the Values Awards. This blog highlights our winners and runners-up, alongside what each Value means for our team, our customers, and the impact they create.

What are the five Apex Values?

Apex Values define how we deliver IT, cyber security and AI support that works in the real world.

We focus on:

• Delivering real outcomes for customers
• Building trust and long-term relationships
• Creating a workplace where people thrive

Our five core values are:

So, who won the awards?

Winner: Michael Markides

Michael was named Overall Values Champion for the consistent way he embodies multiple Apex values in his day-to-day role. What sets him apart is not just his technical expertise, but how he applies it to make a real difference to both colleagues and customers. He is someone who can be relied upon in high-pressure situations, stepping in to support wherever needed, whether that's resolving complex issues, joining customer calls at short notice, or helping the wider
team move things forward.

What truly stood out in his nominations from peers was his ability to translate complex technical challenges into clear, accessible explanations, giving customers confidence and clarity when they need it most. Alongside this, he challenges solutions thoughtfully to ensure they are not only effective in the short term, but right for the customer long term. That combination of reliability, integrity, and a strong team mindset is what made Michael the standout choice for Overall Values Champion.

Winner: Hasan Iqbal

Hasan's nominations from peers reflected the many ways he contributes to the team and beyond what's expected of his role. Whether it's supporting with day-to-day tasks around the office, helping colleagues across departments, or bringing energy and positivity into the workplace, Hasan consistently puts the team first. He plays a key role in creating an environment where people feel comfortable, supported, and motivated. From helping with marketing activity and events to simply checking in with colleagues and lifting morale, his impact is felt across the business. It's this willingness to get involved, support others, and contribute to the wider culture that made him a deserving winner of the Always a Team award.

Runner-Up: Femi Olajide

Femi was recognised as runner-up for his consistently positive approach and willingness to support those around him. He contributes to a collaborative atmosphere within the support team, working closely with colleagues and always bringing a helpful, approachable attitude. His ability to cooperate effectively and maintain a positive presence within the team makes a real difference to how the team works together day-to-day, earning him strong recognition in this category.

Winner: Nicola Aldred

Nicola's contribution to Apex often happens behind the scenes, but its impact is fundamental to the strength and success of the business. She was recognised for her unwavering commitment to accuracy, transparency, and forward-thinking financial management, all of which ensure the business remains stable, informed, and positioned for growth. Her approach goes beyond simply managing finances. Through careful forecasting and attention to detail, she provides the clarity needed for confident decision-making across the business. Colleagues rely on her to ensure everything is aligned, accurate, and handled in the right way - creating not just internally, but in how Apex operates as a whole. It's this consistency, accountability, and commitment to doing things properly that made Nicola a clear winner for Act with Integrity.

Runner-Up: Ashley Proctor

Ashley was recognised as runner-up for the honest and dependable way he approaches even the most difficult situations. He is known for handling high-pressure challenges calmly and professionally, always focusing on doing what is right for the customer and the wider team. Colleagues trust him to manage sensitive or complex issues with fairness and sound judgement, which is why he was strongly acknowledged in this category.

Winner: Christy Roy

Christy's nominations stood out for the consistently high level of positive feedback she receives from customers. She combines strong technical knowledge with a genuine commitment to creating a positive experience, making customers feel supported, reassured, and confident in the service they receive. Her approachable and positive attitude plays a huge role in this. Customers don't just get a solution - they get someone who listens, understands their concerns, and takes the time to ensure everything works properly for them. That ability to combine technical expertise with empathy and communication is what makes her such a strong representation of the Customer-Focused Value and a deserving winner.

Runner-up: Matthew Buckley

Matthew was recognised as runner-up for his commitment to supporting customers and delivering reliable outcomes. His work reflects a consistent effort to ensure customers are looked after and their needs are met effectively. This steady approach, combined with his willingness to go the extra mile, made him a strong contender in this category.

Winner: Rachael McKenzie

Rachael was recognised for the significant impact she has had on driving growth across Apex, particularly through marketing and brand development. Her work has transformed how the business is seen externally, increasing visibility, engagement, and reach through creative campaigns and high-quality content. Beyond the results themselves, what stood out in her nominations is the way she brings others into that journey. From involving colleagues in video content to supporting team members with projects outside their usual roles, she actively creates opportunities for others to develop and contribute. This combination of innovation, collaboration, and measurable business impact made her a clear winner for Enable Growth.

Runner-up: Laura Yates

Laura was recognised as runner-up for the immediate impact she has made since joining client services. She has taken ownership of onboarding new clients, ensuring they feel supported and well-informed from the outset. Her proactive approach, combined with a clearly genuine commitment to helping customers succeed, reflects a strong foundation for enabling growth for both clients and within the business.

Winner: Ross Ansell

Ross was recognised for the commitment he shows to ensuring customers are supported, particularly during critical situations. His nominations highlighted multiple occasions where he has gone above and beyond to resolve urgent issues, including stepping in outside of normal hours to restore services and keep customers operational. What makes Ross stand out is not just his willingness to help, but his determination to get the job done properly. He takes ownership of issues, works through challenges thoroughly, and ensures the final outcome meets the standard customers expect. This combination of accountability, resilience, and customer focus is what made him the winner in the Reliable category.

Runner-up: Daniel Kilroy

Daniel was recognised in his nominations for the consistency and professionalism he brings to his role, particularly when working under pressure. His ability to manage demanding workloads independently, while maintaining a high standard of service, stood out strongly in nominations. Colleagues value his reliability and attention to detail, making him a key part of delivering consistent service to customers.

Why Living the Values matters

Living the Values isn't just about internal culture - it directly shapes customer outcomes:

• Customers receive clear, honest advice
• Issues are solved quickly and collaboratively
• Solutions are built around real business needs
• Relationships are based on trust and long-term value

We don't just provide a service. We make sure it works and delivers real value.

Looking ahead

The Living the Values Awards are an annual reflection of how Apex, and most importantly our people, continue to grow and contribute to a team committed to delivering exceptional service.

To all our nominees, runners-up and winners: thank you for setting the standard.