Who got that job?

Were you one of the people who applied for this job and wondered who got it?

Job title: Chief executive officer.

For: Baptist Action.


Elgin Graham had been thinking idly of a career change when the decision was made for him.

After 30 years in the pharmaceutical industry and having survived several mergers, yet another saw him tipped out of his general management position.

"I took time out to think about what I wanted to do," says 54-year-old Graham, a chartered accountant by training.

"The idea's grown over a number of years that I'd like to do something where you feel you're getting involved in the needs of New Zealanders."

The job came to his notice pretty much out of the blue while the suit and tie were still hanging in the wardrobe. It encouraged men and women "of conviction" to apply - and warned that the post, which includes fundraising and advocacy, was not for the faint-hearted.

Wellington-born Graham, a long-time Baptist and regular worshipper, liked the idea of "returning something to the community".

The Auckland-based charity, which runs various social services agencies, employs about 500 people and juggles $11 million in annual revenue.

It does very good work and has a good reputation with authorities such as the Ministry of Health, says Graham.

But the issues are the same as in corporate life, he says: "There are the same challenges and the same job to be done."