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
In her role as Group General Counsel for the Westpac Group, Shannon Finch leads Westpac’s legal function globally and is a group executive. She is also the executive sponsor of the Respect Employee Advocacy Group (focusing on domestic and family violence) and for Westpac’s Walk for a Cure. She joined Westpac in November 2021, after over 25 years in corporate practice at leading Australian and global firms.
In her Westpac role, Finch has focused on contributing to the Westpac Group’s change program, including driving simplification and a nimble approach to legal support, and supporting a refreshed approach to regulatory engagement. She is also a champion for mentoring and talent development within Westpac.
Finch has contributed actively to law reform throughout her career. She is an executive member of the Business Law Section of the Law Council of Australia (LCA) and chaired the Corporations Committee of the LCA until 2021. She led the COVID Emergency Measures Working Group for that committee, consulting directly with government and regulatory agencies throughout the pandemic on a broad array of measures. She is also a member of the Advisory Committee to the Australian Law Reform Commission’s Review of the Legislative Framework for Corporations and Financial Services Regulation.
Finch has experience as a non-executive director, including as the Deputy Chair of Forward Ability Support. She is a member of the AICD Law Committee, a member of Chief Executive Women Australia, and a fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia.
Level 20, 275 Kent Street, Sydney, NSW 2000
+61400442991
shannon.finch@westpac.com.au
au.linkedin.com/in/shannon-finch-07075320
westpac.com.au/about-westpac/westpac-group
Shannon Finch
Group Executive – Group General Counsel
Westpac
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“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
1992–2003
2004–2018
2019–2021
Present
Present
1992: Bachelor of Arts (Hons)
1992–1994: Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department
1994: Bachelor of Laws (Hons)
1994–2003: Lawyer/Senior Associate at King & Wood Mallesons
1992–
2003
2004–2018: Partner at King & Wood Mallesons
2010–2014: Partner in Charge – Sydney Office at King & Wood Mallesons
2004–
2018
2019–2021: Partner at Jones Day
2021: Australasian Lawyer: Inaugural Most Influential Lawyers Award; Australasian Lawyer: Corporate Lawyer of the Year; Best Lawyers Australia: Sydney Corporate Lawyer of the Year
2019–
2021
Group Executive – Group General Counsel at Westpac since 2021
Legal 500 GC Powerlist: Australia
Present
Ranked in the 15th edition of The Best Lawyers in New Zealand’s 2024 Guide
Patent and Trade Mark Star 2023 – IP Stars
Present
Milestones
Aug 2022
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.”