Strategist James Fleet wins 2025 New Zealand Young Professional of the Year

At Fidelity Life, Head of Strategy and Performance James Fleet is part of a new generation of leaders transforming New Zealand’s insurance landscape with energy, intellect and humanity.

His work at Fidelity Life, his contribution to the sector and commitment to customers have earned him the ANZIIF New Zealand Young Insurance Professional of the Year Award.

When Fleet walked on to the stage to accept his award, he says he felt both proud and validated.

“I’ve worked in insurance now for nine years across two different companies, and I’m really passionate about the role it plays for communities in New Zealand,” he says.

“Winning this award is a recognition of the progress I’ve made in aligning purpose, strategy and performance at Fidelity Life.

"It affirms that you can drive meaningful change while staying true to your values, which motivates me to keep making a difference for our communities.”

Pride and humility

That blend of pride, humility and purpose is just one of many reasons he took home the trophy on Thursday 27 November 2025.

As Head of Strategy and Performance at Fidelity Life, Fleet is quietly bold. His goal is to build an insurance sector that is trusted, future-ready and genuinely centred on people.

For this year’s judging panel, Fleet's command of a whole-of-organisation strategy with measurable lifts in culture, customer engagement and performance undoubtedly commanded attention. But it wasn’t simply the scale of Fleet’s achievements that stood out, it was his intent.

One judge highlighted his understanding of insurance as a discipline that “requires empathy and sharp thinking”, while another noted his “ten-year ambition with a focused three-year commitment” as impressive. 

Meeting Fleet, it is clear why these qualities resonated. He is steady, thoughtful and quietly energised; a leader who listens first, analyses deeply and acts decisively.

“I’m driven by the impact this industry can have,” Fleet says. “That’s what makes working in insurance truly meaningful.”

Energy and impact

Reflecting on the achievement he is most proud of in his career so far, Fleet points to his work shaping Fidelity Life’s long-term strategy.

“In my role, I contribute to setting a long-term strategy for Fidelity Life to ensure life insurance remains relevant, inclusive and sustainable,” he says.

“With underinsurance being a real issue in New Zealand, we’re focused on making sure our products and services meet the changing needs of New Zealanders' and our advice community.

Growing our reach for the good of New Zealand has been a major priority.”

Fleet joined the insurance industry at 26, beginning as an HR Consultant in 2016. He advanced quickly, moving through people, project and performance roles before joining Fidelity Life in 2022 as Programme Manager, Value Delivery.

Just two years later, at 34, he stepped into his current leadership role. Throughout that journey, Fleet’s through-line has been purpose: a commitment to using insurance as a vehicle for resilience and empowerment.

“Insurance is a powerful enabler of wellbeing and security” he explains. “It’s strategic, it’s analytical, but it’s also very human. You’re dealing with people, families, and the moments that matter.”

A new business strategy

Academically, Fleet brings the same discipline and depth. He holds a Master of Science with First Class Honours in Psychology from the University of Auckland, focusing on behavioural science.

This mix of behavioural insight and strategic thinking has shaped his leadership approach in insurance.

Leading Fidelity Life’s Strategic Future Fleet’s defining achievement in 2024 and the centrepiece of his award win, was leading the design and rollout of Fidelity Life’s new business strategy.

Built around a bold ten-year ambition and anchored by a focused three-year commitment, the strategy translates market insight, customer and adviser expectations and organisational capabilities into a clear roadmap for the future.

“I’m incredibly proud of the strategy,” he says. “It’s not just a document, it’s shared direction for the business and a promise to customers, our people, shareholders and our communities about the kind of insurer we want to be.”

Fleet facilitated workshops with the Board and Executive, shaped three core pillars and articulated a purpose that now underpins the organisation: Growing for the good of New Zealand.

He then worked in close partnership with the Executive team to turn the strategy from concept to execution. He built a new performance and governance cadence, including:

• a business scorecard with transparent accountability
• an 18-month operating plan aligned with stakeholder expectations
• an operating rhythm that strengthened decision-making and collaboration

The impact was immediate. Fidelity Life’s April 2024 Pulse Survey recorded its highest results for people understanding the strategy since July 2022, with notable lifts in alignment, trust and optimism.

Customer and adviser engagement, measured through Net Promoter Score, also rose sharply.

“These results show we’re building a stronger, more connected business,” he says. “I’m proud to have played a part in making that happen.”

A leader that lifts others

Fleet is quick to emphasise that his award reflects not just his own contribution, but the environment that enabled it.

“I think my achievement is a reflection of the environment Fidelity Life provides to support their people coming through,” he says.

“I’m grateful to have earned the trust of the Board and Executive team, which has allowed me to stretch myself and contribute in a meaningful way.”

Colleagues describe Fleet as a leader who brings clarity to complexity; someone who balances discipline with compassion, and vision with practicality.

He also contributes to conversations on financial resilience, ESG, performance and customer wellbeing. Passionate about building capability and developing emerging leaders, Fleet generously dedicates his time to mentoring others across the industry.

Why the Insurance Awards matter

Fleet is clear about the significance of the ANZIIF Awards. “The awards aren’t just about celebrating individual excellence, they’re about setting a standard and reminding us to keep raising the bar, particularly at a time when trust is low," he says.

"As an industry, we need to come together, stay focused on delivering long-term value, and ensure we’re making a positive difference for our customers, our people, and our communities.”

Fleet sees the next decade as one of profound transformation for insurance shaped by changing customer expectations, integration of AI into insurance and heightened regulatory expectations.

“These challenges motivate me,” he says. “We’re at a defining moment where we can combine technology, purpose and people to build something great, and I’m excited to see how the industry innovates.”

Industry in transition

His aspirations for the next five years include expanding his enterprise leadership capability, gaining M&A experience and strengthening his strategic influence across the insurance value chain.

Human-centred AI, strengthened ESG foundations and talent development all feature prominently in his vision.

Fleet’s closing words on the night were more powerful for being simple and full of gratitude: “Just thank you so much. I really appreciate the recognition.”

For him, the award is not the end goal but platform to contribute to an industry he cares about deeply.

“It’s an awesome milestone in my leadership journey - affirming that you can drive meaningful change while staying true to your values. I’m excited to use this platform to contribute even more to the industry.

Read more about the 2025 New Zealand winners

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