Apex’s values celebrate the people who consistently put customers first, take ownership, support their colleagues and do the right thing, even when the situation is challenging.
This year, Michael Markides (T3 Lead - Problem and Change Manager) stood out for the way he brings those values to life every day through his leadership, technical expertise and unwavering commitment to helping both customers and the wider team succeed. From stepping in to resolve complex issues and supporting colleagues under pressure to mentoring engineers as they progress into more senior roles, Michael has made a positive and lasting impact across Apex. His willingness to share his knowledge, take responsibility and remain focused on finding the best outcome makes him a truly deserving recipient. A huge congratulations to Michael on being named our 2026 Overall Values Winner - an achievement that reflects not only the excellent work he delivers, but also the example he sets for those around him.
I felt really validated and appreciated. It is always nice to be recognised, but this felt particularly meaningful because the values are about how we behave every day, not just one specific piece of work. I try to focus on doing the right thing for customers and colleagues, so to have that noticed was a proud moment.
The value that resonates most strongly with me is being customer focused. For me, that means doing the right thing for the customer, even when the situation is difficult or there is not always a perfect answer. Ultimately, customers rely on us to protect their systems, keep them working, and give honest guidance when it matters.
It is hard to choose one individual moment, but I think the times where I have been brought in as a key go-to person probably reflect it best. Whether it is a difficult technical issue, a customer escalation, or something that needs pulling together quickly, I try to stay focused on the outcome and help get things moving in the right direction.
One of my proudest achievements has been helping others grow into more senior technical roles. Mentoring engineers and supporting people as they move towards Tier 3 has been really rewarding. It is not just about solving issues myself, but helping build the capability in the wider team so we can support customers better.
What motivates me is knowing that people and businesses are relying on us. In some situations, if systems are down or not working properly, people can be losing money or the business itself can be at risk. That makes it important to stay focused, keep pushing, and do what is needed to get the job done.
The biggest lesson I have learned is that technical ability is only one part of providing a good service. Communication, ownership, and judgement are just as important. Customers need to know that someone understands the issue, is taking it seriously, and is working towards the right outcome, especially when things are complex or under pressure.
Not actually sure, it was always pretty decent with computers/tech from a very young age, fixing things, trying new stuff. Just was a natural thing.
My advice would be to focus on the impact of what you are doing rather than just the task in front of you. Think about the customer, the colleague, or the business that is relying on the outcome. If you keep that in mind, it naturally pushes you to take ownership and do the right thing.
Over the next 12 months, I would like to keep helping the team mature technically and operationally. That includes supporting more engineers to build confidence at Tier 3 level, improving how we handle complex issues, and helping make our processes more consistent without making them overly complicated or difficult to use.
I’m not the stereotypical IT person, sat it in the dark at my computer. I’m a social person, I like to be out and about, having food, visiting friends, or a good night out.
I enjoy a bit of gardening – and im not too bad at it!
I would describe Apex as committed, practical, and customer-focused. Committed because people put the effort in when it matters. Practical because we often have to find workable solutions in real-world situations. Customer-focused because, at the core of it, the work we do is about keeping other businesses running and supported.