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
Mehemea ka moemoeā ahau, ko au anake. Mehemea ka moemoeā e tātou, ka taea e tātou. (If I am to dream, I dream alone. If we all dream together, then we shall achieve.)
These words from Te Puea Herangi inspire Renika Siciliano (Waikato-Maniapoto). With a team of energetic directors and the firm’s chief executive, as executive director, Siciliano leads the firm to grow an award-winning culture in pursuit of excellence.
The team at McCaw Lewis holds fast to the values of kotahitanga, manaakitanga and whāia te iti kahurangi (passion for excellence), which are what ground them and enable them to succeed as individuals and as a firm.
As a lawyer, Siciliano loves working with iwi, hapū and individuals from across Aotearoa. Her core work covers those areas of the law where the Treaty and tikanga are at the forefront. She has had the privilege of representing clients in various forums, including in respect of significant decisions in relation to iwi and Treaty kaupapa and as a mediator/facilitator as well. She is also passionate about ensuring that tikanga can be promoted and adhered to within employment spaces, and she acts as an investigator.
When not working, Siciliano can often be found with whānau in Taranaki or next to a basketball court. She enjoys spending time with her whānau, her husband, and in particular being a māmā to her son, Kupa.
6/586 Victoria Street, Hamilton
07 838 2079
renika.siciliano@mccawlewis.co.nz
linkedin.com/in/renikas
mccawlewis.co.nz
Renika Siciliano
Executive Director
McCaw Lewis
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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
2008–2009
2018–2020
2021–2022
Present
2021–2023
2008: Joined McCaw Lewis
2009: Admitted to the bar
2008–
2009
2018: Director at McCaw Lewis
2020: Executive Director at McCaw Lewis
2018–
2020
2021: Recognised as one of NZ Lawyer’s Rising Stars
2022: Doyle’s Leading NZ Māori Law Lawyer; recognised as one of NZ Lawyer’s Most Influential Lawyers
2021–
2022
Tumuaki Wāhine (President) of Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa
Associate of the Arbitrators and Mediators Institute of NZ
Present
2021: Recognised as one of NZ Lawyer’s Elite Women; recognised as one of NZ Lawyer’s Most Influential Lawyers
2022: Recognised as one of NZ Lawyer’s Most Influential Lawyers
2023: Honourary degree of Doctor of Laws (to be accepted on 16 December)
2021–
2023
Assistant Vice President and Senior Broker at MJ Hall & Company since 2018
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.”