Meet Our Act With Integrity Advocate... Luke

We were delighted to announce our Senior Implementation Engineer, Luke Collins, as our Act With Integrity Advocate following our Living The Values Awards at our Family BBQ. The awards were given based on feedback and nominations from everyone here at Apex!

What does it mean to you to receive the Act With Integrity Award, especially knowing it was based on nominations from your peers?

It honestly means a lot. Our values are something I've always tried to live by, so to be specifically recognised for always displaying one of our values is really rewarding. The fact that it came from nominations from the people who also work to the sames values on a day-to-day basis, makes it even more special.

In what ways do our company values guide how we work together as a team and the service we deliver to our customers?

For me, the values act like a framework for how we work day to day. 

"Luke always does what he says he is going to do and is really knowledgeable. He is one of the people in the business I know I can go to when I need something guaranteed to be done in a specified time frame and done top quality."

What does a typical day at Apex look like for you?

 A typical day for me involves managing projects, facilitating implementations, and overseeing the technical side of software and infrastructure rollouts. I really enjoy making sure everything runs smoothly and seeing projects go from planning to delivery. The most exciting part is that I get to work across different technologies and make big project changes for customers that can really have a positive impact on their business and operations. 

How did you get into the IT/MSP world?

I’ve always had a strong interest in IT, even back in high school. As soon as I could, I got involved in the day-to-day running of the school’s IT systems while I was still a student. Before I’d even left school, I was also repairing and building computers for people locally, which gave me a bit of experience (and a small income on the side).

 When I finished school, I was lucky enough to be offered a junior engineer role at Apex. Around that time, during Covid, I also completed my first Microsoft certification as a Modern Workplace Associate just before joining. From there, I’ve worked my way up through different roles at Apex — from Junior IT Engineer, to Tier 2 Engineer, to 3rd Line Engineer, and now to Senior Implementation Engineer — all within 5 years. It’s been a fast-paced journey, but one I’m really proud of. 

Born and bred in Manchester or moved here?

Born and bred!

How do you think Apex impacts businesses in Greater Manchester specifically?

 I think Apex makes a real difference for local businesses by giving them the tools and support they need to work securely and efficiently. As a trusted, local IT support provider, we work with a wide range of customers across Greater Manchester, ensuring their systems run smoothly 24/7. Whether it’s helping a small business modernise its setup or delivering a full infrastructure project, we help companies stay competitive and keep up with fast-changing technology. It’s rewarding to see the positive impact our work has on businesses right on our doorstep. 

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

 Manchester has always been home for me, and one of the things that makes me most proud is the city’s music scene. From The Stone Roses to Blossoms (and so many more), Manchester has produced incredible artists that continue to inspire me. It’s something I’m really passionate about, and you’ll almost always find me at a gig somewhere in the city. 

What's your ultimate goal (professional or personal) for the next year?

 Over the next year, my ultimate goal is to take my passion for aviation to the next level by starting my journey toward a private pilot’s licence. I’ve always loved planes and flying, especially when travelling on holidays, and becoming a PPL holder would allow me to experience that excitement from the cockpit myself. Professionally, I’m also focused on continuing to grow my expertise in IT and helping our clients at Apex succeed, so this goal is a perfect mix of personal challenge and lifelong learning. 

Any upcoming trends or technologies you're excited about?

 I’m really interested in how AI is being integrated into security products, like firewalls, anti-spam filters, and end-user device protection. It’s improving the way threats are detected and prevented in real time. Alongside that, the growing move towards a zero-trust cyber security posture is something I’m excited about. It’s changing the way businesses think about protecting their systems and data, and I think it’s only going to become more important in the years ahead. 

How do you approach troubleshooting for customers?

 When it comes to projects, I start by listening to the customer and making sure I properly understand what isn’t working or what’s blocking progress. From there, I break the problem down into smaller steps and work through it methodically, always keeping the wider project goals in mind. I also make a point of keeping the customer updated as I go, so they know things are moving forward and feel reassured that the issue won’t derail the project. 

"Regardless of the scenario, Luke always wants to do the right thing, he wants to be part of the right result and steers anything he is part of to ensure it is right. Thank you so much Luke!"

Any upcoming trends or technologies you're excited about?

 For me, it’s definitely the people. There’s a real team spirit here — everyone’s willing to help each other out and share knowledge. It makes even the busiest days easier, and it creates an environment where you can keep learning and pushing yourself. What makes it even better is that we’re all working towards the same values and striving to represent Apex in the best way possible. On top of that, it’s an amazing and genuinely funny team — the kind of group you enjoy spending time with both in and out of the office. It’s a great place to work and be part of. 

What has been your best experience with Apex to date?

 It’s hard to pick just one, but I’d say being part of big, complex projects that have gone really well has been the most rewarding. Seeing all the planning, teamwork, and effort come together to deliver something that makes a big difference for a customer is always a great feeling. I’ve also been lucky enough to represent Apex at industry-renowned IT events in Orlando and Dublin, which was an amazing experience both professionally and personally. On the social side, I’ve really enjoyed our Culture Club events too — they’ve been a great way to connect with people outside of day-to-day work.