Profile
“I will continue to empower and encourage my staff to perform at their best as I have done for the last decade. I will continue to advocate for my clients, embracing new technology and being open to business and industry changes”
Ken Dixon,
Dixon Insurance Services
Catherine Dunlop leads Maddocks’ work health and safety (WHS) practice and is one of Australia’s leading safety lawyers who, since 1995, has worked with clients on many significant matters. Regarded as an expert in her field, she regularly provides legal updates as they happen and is often the first choice for clients, particularly in the public sector across Canberra and Melbourne.
Dunlop has helped clients deal with the aftermath of serious incidents and fatalities, including acting in Australia’s largest natural disaster Royal Commissions, and in many multiple fatality and major hearings. She works with clients to develop a strategic response to prosecutions and inquests, while considering stakeholder interests, liability and human issues. She provides 24/7 service to clients who know her for her calm, efficient and measured approach in a crisis.
Dunlop has a particular interest in assisting clients with bullying, sexual harassment and other psychosocial hazards, and has assisted with many confidential and sensitive complaints.
In addition, Dunlop is a senior fellow at the University of Melbourne, teaching WHS Law at the postgraduate level. She is passionate about organisations addressing issues through a safety-risk lens. Her strong reputation means she works regularly across government, retail, emergency services and the health sector.
123 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW 2000
+61 3 9258 0633
catherine.dunlop@maddocks.com.au
linkedin.com/in/catherine-dunlop-b588811b
maddocks.com.au
Catherine Dunlop
Partner, Practice Team Leader and Board Member
Maddocks
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Profile
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Milestones
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Bio
Milestones
“To be able to give back to the community is rewarding and fulfilling. I am honoured to be in a position where I can raise funds for those less fortunate and in need”
Ken Dixon,
Dixon Insurance Services
2004–present
2010–2022
2016
2017–present
2021–present
2004–present: Maddocks Partner
2013: appointed Practice Team Leader
2022: Maddocks Board Member
2004–
present
2010–2022: Deputy Chair of Emergency Services Foundation
2015: Board Member at OzChild
2010–
2022
ALPMA Thought Leadership award for Melbourne Employment, Safety & People Practice Team for flexible work initiatives
2016
Appointed President of the Health Complaints Commissioner Advisory Council
2017–
present
Senior Fellow at University of Melbourne
2021-
present
Milestones
Milestones
Sept 2021
Feb 2022
Apr 2022
Jul 2022
Aug
2022
Suncorp Bank introduces Solar Home Bonus offer for customers who are choosing renewable energy for their homes
Sept 2021
Month-on-month market share growth commences
Feb 2022
Suncorp Bank wins the Canstar award for most outstanding value in investment loans
Apr 2022
Suncorp Bank wins Money Magazine’s Bank of the Year and Business Bank of the Year awards for the fifth year in a row
Jul 2022
Suncorp Bank’s turnaround times are the lowest they have ever been. The lender becomes Australia’s first certified carbon neutral bank for both its operation and transaction services
Aug 2022
Milestones
How does he distinguish himself among fellow brokers?
“I believe all brokers are working very hard in a difficult market,” he says. “However, I have demonstrated continued growth, advocacy and performance on my client’s behalf, which is now recognised [for 10 consecutive years] in the Elite Broker awards.”
In 1990, Dixon got started with FAI, working in claims and as a team leader. From the late 1990s up until 2003, he worked at FAI and Suncorp in underwriting and as an area manager at VACC, CGU (South East Queensland). From 2003 to 2012, he got into broking and eventually started Dixon Insurance in 2013. Since then, he’s accumulated numerous acccolades, including Elite Broker, Diversity and Equity, and Fast Broker awards.
During the pandemic, Dixon challenged insurers over the Quarantine Act application to insurance wordings. His argument was that the Quarantine Act does not apply as an exclusion, as the Biosecurity Act was invoked by the Morrison Government, and this was not a subsequent amendment to the Quarantine Act. The test case in the Appeals court was won for Dixon’s client with a unanimous five-judge verdict.
He remains focused on transport, manufacturing, motor trade, engineering and large farm clients.
What are his plans for the future?
On a business level, “more of the same. I will continue to empower and encourage my staff to perform at their best as I have done for the last decade. I will continue to advocate for my clients, embracing new technology and being open to business and industry changes.”
On a personal level, Dixon invests significant time, effort and funds, along with his GT3, to support many charities through his passion for motorsport. From participating in and sponsoring the Thunderbolt Run (which provides tens of thousands of dollars in support for Beyond Blue and Prostate Cancer), to organising and running the Track Knights for Amira charity night where 28 Exotic Supercars raised funds through passenger laps in wet conditions, Dixon states “this is our time to give back to the community and those in need. My friendships and association with those seeking to do the same, allows us to contribute to those less fortunate and raise funds and awareness”.
He adds: “To be able to give back to the community is rewarding and fulfilling. I am honoured to be in a position where I can raise funds for those less fortunate and in need.”