Curtin Occupational Therapist leads billion-dollar company to extraordinary heights
31/05/2022 By Carmelle Wilkinson
Owner of APM, Megan Wynne.
From WA country girl to owner of a billion-dollar company, Perth entrepreneur Megan Wynne’s contribution to the employment services, health, disability, and vocational rehabilitation space is nothing short of extraordinary.
“I like to think we are ordinary people doing extraordinary things,’’ the Curtin Occupational Therapist graduate said.
Megan’s flagship business APM is Australia’s largest provider of disability employment services, helping people with an injury, illness or disability find and stay in meaningful work.
A champion for occupational health and safety, improved workplace safety and return to work services, APM also helps older Australians live independently in their homes.
From humble beginnings in 1994, with a team of four to a WA success story with more than 14,000 team members across 11 countries, APM’s exponential growth saw the global leader debut on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in 2021.
“There is something greatly satisfying in being part of a global team that empowers people to realise their aspirations through employment and economic independence, better health and wellbeing and increased social participation within their community,’’ Megan said.
The daughter of a bank manager, Megan spent her childhood years living in rural WA.
“My family lived in Bruce Rock, Ongerup, Kalgoorlie, Wyndham, Bridgetown, Mount Barker and Northam, and with Dad’s work we moved around every two years,’’ she said.
“Growing up Mum was passionately community minded and always championed women.
“She raised my sisters and I to have a strong social conscience and instilled a belief that we all have the ability to make a difference.
“I hope I am doing the same for my daughter now.”
From occupational therapist to the entrepreneur behind a billion-dollar company. That clearly doesn’t happen overnight. Can you please share your career journey to date and what key decisions lead you to where you are now?
I started my occupational therapy career after proudly graduating from Curtin University.
My first position was as a locum at Bunbury Regional Hospital, which led me to Collie District Hospital, as their first occupational therapist in 1988.
It was here I was fortunate to be offered my dream role at Royal Perth Rehabilitation Hospital, working in the neurosurgery, spinal and occupational rehabilitation departments.
Here, I met Dr Dick Robinson, a dedicated Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist who invited me to join him in private practice at the Perth Pain Management Centre.
The APM that exists today was over 29 years in the making, so yes, definitely not an overnight success story.
In 1994, we started as a team of four delivering vocational rehabilitation services in Perth, largely delivering services within the state workers’ compensation scheme.
Our listing on the ASX in November 2021 brings us to APM today.
The growth of APM over the years from a vocational rehabilitation provider to a market leading global health and human services provider is the culmination of the efforts of many people – some who have been here from the very beginning.
In APM’s early days from 1994-2002, Curtin Uni Allied Health professionals were our pioneers blazing the way.
They played an integral role by moving interstate to open our operations across the country.
In fact, almost every state operation was founded by a Curtin Uni Graduate.
What do you think are your leadership strengths?
I see my key leadership strength as the ability to have the very great fortune of being able to attract the most talented and capable leaders and team members imaginable, all of whom are driven by passion and purpose and who collectively work together to deliver our hugely ambitious agenda.
To be a global leader in the health and human services sector takes hard work, but an even better team.
At APM we have always recruited the most talented people and they have been integral to the growth of the business and our unique culture. I often describe it by saying that we are ordinary people doing extraordinary things, together.
Looking back to when you started Advanced Personnel Management in 1994 with three friends from Curtin, did you ever envision it evolving into what it is today?
When we first established APM as a new vocational rehabilitation provider we had a strategic five-year focus on providing world class vocational rehabilitation services across WA before moving interstate.
From 2010, we began to strategically consider international expansion and entered the UK market the following year.
We are now in 11 countries including Australia, NZ, Singapore, South Korea, the UK, Sweden, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, the USA and Canada.
We have always been proudly ambitious and once we have achieved one goal, we set our sights on the next.
In 2023 our range of services now include assessments, allied health and psychological intervention, medical, psycho-social and vocational rehabilitation, vocational training and employment assistance, and community-based support services.
Did I read correctly that your husband Bruce Bellinge, a well-known IVF pioneer and fertility specialist, gave you a loan when banks failed to fund your company’s growth about 20 years ago?
Yes, you did.
It was a constant challenge to fund growth as the traditional banking markets had little interest or understanding of this sector.
I was very fortunate that my husband, Bruce, a successful businessman, was prepared to back APM and its goals when capital markets wouldn’t.
What were your business goals starting out in your 20s and how have these changed over the years?
Early on, we set the goal that every person, no matter their means or circumstances, or where they lived whether it be metropolitan, regional, rural or remote Australia, would have access to our services.
This goal has not altered.
APM’s vision is to be the world’s leading health and human services provider, making a positive and lasting difference to more people, in more places every year. We want to empower people to realise their aspirations through improved independence, health and wellbeing, and increased social and economic participation in their community.
What ignited your passion in this line of work?
Growing up in country towns in WA, I was exposed to the fact that often support services were difficult to access and inequality existed where it should not, hence that very early desire to make a difference.
One of our very early goals was to deliver quality services to as many people, in as many places as possible.
Over the course of someone’s life, multiple factors can affect their ability to be independent and participate as fully as possible in society.
These factors can create needs that benefit from support services that help correct negative impacts or mitigate any further decline in their circumstances.
APM provides a wide range of support services that can address the needs of people who are vulnerable, disadvantaged, or are at risk of becoming vulnerable.
What advice would you give someone starting out?
Set out to be the best you can be – do something you are passionate about and better at than your competitors and surround yourself with great people and success will follow.
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