The best ideas often come at the most unexpected moments. Such is the case with Fidelity Life, the $200 million-plus company that’s one of New Zealand’s leading life insurers.
The brainchild of Gordon and Shirley Watson, Fidelity Life was thought up while the couple watched a rugby match in 1973. It proved a stroke of brilliance that guaranteed the family wealth for generations to come.
Five daughters of the family, and their families, are still involved with the company. In recent years Fidelity Life has invested heavily in technology and innovation, which has prompted industry-wide recognition. Last year, for the second year in a row, it was named New Zealand life insurance company of the year at the New Zealand Insurance Industry Awards.
Along with its digital successes, the judges pointed to employee engagement, clear strategy and strong financial performance as reasons for taking out the top prize.
The company has about 280 staff and 300,000 customers. Its assets amount to $622.7 million, with $16.7m in total comprehensive income, and its most recent share trading price was $126. In 2017, the New Zealand Superannuation Fund paid $100m for a 41% stake in the company.
2018: $110 million