Takapuna resident Hugh Stedman has been part of the North Shore Community since 1970. The former Kings College student was enticed over the Harbour Bridge by his very new wife Wendy, a Shore girl. 53 years on we’re celebrating his success and contribution to the region.
Hugh Stedman started out his working life with Chartered Accountants ‘Robinson, Strickett and Co’, undertaking 2 years of an accountancy degree at ATI, before failing the exams.
That failure was a stroke of luck, as he pivoted to join AMP. Over a 31 year career Hugh became one of NZ’s leading insurance agents, based around a goal to “help others maintain the standard of living to which they have become accustomed, no matter what life throws at them”. In 1983 he won an industry-wide Pinnacle Life Award.
In 1988, Hugh established 300 Richmond Limited, a Self-Storage and Serviced Office business. This became the first ‘Storage King’ branded facility in NZ. By 2010, that business had grown to be 1500 storage units and 85 serviced offices. As an individual storage business, it was the largest of its type in NZ when sold in February, 2020. Another 31 year business stint for Hugh!
Along the way Hugh and Wendy Stedman have brought up 2 daughters and a son. First living in the Bays before moving to Takapuna in 1984. Family means everything – they are hugely proud of their 3 children and 8 grandchildren.
Sport has been big in Hugh Stedman’s life. Sailing, Boating, Running, Triathlon, Snow Skiing and Golf. He was a prolific runner up until 1997, completing 15 marathons including New York with Wendy in 1987. Hugh has been a YMCA Health Club member since 1972.
Hugh has always been a massive giver to the community – most under the radar. His philanthropy includes providing assistance for the Yes Disability Resource Centre, Shore Junction Youth Innovation Hub, the North Harbour Club Charitable Trust, the Prince’s Trust, YMCA and many more.
Hugh was a Member of the North Shore Round Table from 1970 to 1984 – President in 1979; He’s a founding member and first Secretary of the YMCA Marathon Club; a Member of Rotary Club of Takapuna North for over 30 years from 1986 to 2018 – President in 2009, and is a Double Paul Harris Fellow; Hugh’s a founding member of the North Harbour Club and Charitable Trust, has been a Trustee, playing a big part in the success of that organisation over 28 years; He was founding Chair of YES Disability’s “ways and means” committee and led the funding campaign to get the facility established. He also served as a Trustee; Hugh was an early driver of the Shore Junction Youth Innovation Hub initiative, playing a big role in fundraising to ensure its establishment; Hugh and Wendy were made Life Members of Auckland YMCA in 2021.
Hugh Stedman is a hugely deserving 2023 inductee into the North Harbour Business Hall of Fame.
