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20 Questions Nov

20 Questions with Daniel Lem - Head of investments & Director at PMG Funds

Reading Time: 4 Minutes

We caught up with Daniel Lem, Head of Investments & Director at PMG Funds to find out a little bit more...

N. Why do you love working in Newmarket?

Given I’m in property, its location. Perfectly positioned close to arterial routes, with great shopping, restaurants and parking. Newmarket attracts both businesses and consumers, it’s where the two meet and has so much to offer both.

N. What is one piece of advice that you would give to someone who was looking at starting out in your industry?

Follow your passion and you’ll be good at it. If that’s property, investment and or management, understand the fundamentals and why it is such a vital part of this country’s GDP. Latest stats show that the property rental and real estate services and property operations sectors in NZ are the second and third largest contributors to NZ’s GDP, respectively.

N. What would you do if you weren’t in your current role?

I guess I would like to have been a yacht designer but I don’t know that I have the talent for it.

N. Name your top three favourite songs:

Being with You - Smokey Robinson

Club Tropicana – Wham!

Zoom - Fat Larry’s Band

N. What was your first job?

As a student I worked with my uncle sandblasting water tanks in the heights of the summer heat... My motivation to finish my degree increased exponentially!

N. What motivates you?

My family and the awesome and committed members of the PMG family I work with, and finding ways with property to deliver good returns to those 1000 investors who have invested their hard earned money with PMG – a responsibility I don’t take lightly.

N. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

Six months of the year in NZ, and six months in the South Pacific or the Mediterranean (currently a pipe dream).

N. Where is your favourite place to get coffee or a drink in Newmarket?

Coffee at Safran and dinner and a drink in the sun at Archie’s on Short Street.

N. Describe Newmarket in 3 words:

Vibrant but relaxed.

N. What do you wish you had known before you started in your career?

A deeper understanding of global economics.

N. How do you start each morning?

Filter coffee with cream and a hug with my three young sons, best way to start the day.

N. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?

Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.

N. What is your favourite holiday destination and why?

Lake Taupo – so much to do in Winter and Summer and doesn’t cost the earth to travel or stay there.

N. What is Newmarket’s best kept secret?

A 27 year old business creating value and security for people through investment in unlisted commercial property funds, who’s existing clients have placed it as the most trusted property funds manager in NZ – PMG. But I would say that. Oh and the new Asian restaurant, 108 Tastes, on Carlton Gore Road with the robot waiter!

N. What would you consider being your greatest achievement?

Successfully raising 3 boys!

N. Name one item that you can’t live without.

Nail clippers.

N. Its 10am on a Sunday morning. Where would we find you and what are you doing?

At home flipping pancakes thick and fast for my starving offspring.

N. Who has the greatest influence on your life and why?

I never really had a proper mentor. I just worked it out as I went along and kept pushing myself to be better. I guess my wife saved me from doing many stupid things.

N. What is your greatest fear?

Losing my children and wife.

N. What do you love most about your job?

Celebrating our company successes with the team.

Level 1, 5 Short Street  | pmgfunds.co.nz

 

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