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
Amanda Bush is the group operations manager of The Action Insurance Brokers Group including Action Entertainment Insurance and Arena Underwriting. She’s been in the industry for 17 years, but, as the cliché goes, she wasn’t always set on a career in insurance.
“With aspirations in senior school to be an air traffic controller, I have certainly landed a long way away from aviation,” Bush says. “Albeit not on the plan, insurance has provided me the best opportunity in my career. ”
She adds, “My career foundation has been based on being loyal, committed and hardworking to always deliver my best plus the extra mile. Engaging in meaningful ways to build trust and forge positive, professional and productive relationships within the business and the industry has been important to me. Sharing knowledge openly has been a focus and extremely rewarding; in doing so, it recognises all the colleagues in my career who have kindly sponsored my learning.”
Bush thrives on converting challenges into opportunities and is always open to new possibilities to improve outcomes. For example, in response to the COVID-19 era’s different ways of working, she led the implementation of new group communication methodologies and practices to not just maintain connection but also elevate culture and engagement through remote working. The continued challenge of the skills shortage requires a relentless focus on people and culture initiatives to deliver improved comprehensive onboarding processes, induction workshops, regular monthly training programs and cross-training opportunities to build knowledge and capability and support the success of new entrants to the industry. These programs make Action a true learning organisation.
Some of her achievements include:
- delivery of an award-winning culture with clarity in values and purpose that has very high employee retention
- evolving performance management methodologies to be team member driven
- mentorship to the Action Group’s leadership team to elevate leader capabilities
- creation of a foundation of learning and development resources, practices and tools to deliver technical, leadership and soft skill training outcomes to improve team member experience and provide opportunity for progression
“My key approach is being flexible with a positive, open and curious mindset while also being a good communicator who can foster understanding, build rapport and create positive connections,” she says. “Leading with empathy and care has also been very important to me. I also actively seek out opportunities of continued learning even when outside of my immediate areas of knowledge and am always interested in honing my skills and changing my perspective. Seeing a commitment through despite any setbacks has been part of my mindset, so energy, endurance and strategic thinking are part of my approach. I recognise the importance of ‘how’ outcomes are achieved, and my preferred approach is one of consultation, collaboration and teamwork.
“Being involved in supporting, coaching or mentoring is an area I thoroughly enjoy. The mentoring of our leadership team is as inspiring as it is rewarding. The potential to continue to learn from shared experiences is uncapped, and it takes a particular business culture to foster these outcomes, so I am very proud to have these experiences in action.”
Suite 301 Building A, 20 Lexington Dr, Bella Vista, NSW 2153
02 8935 1500
info@actioninsurance.com.au
linkedin.com/in/carolyn-toomey-948a2a25
actioninsurance.com.au
Amanda Bush
Group Operations Manager
Action Insurance Brokers
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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
2006
2008
2018
2020
2019
2021
Joined Action Insurance Brokers as personal assistant to the managing director
2006
Appointed as operations manager
2008
Role charter expanded to include all Action Group entities – group operations manager
2018
Forged the Action Group Leadership Team and appointed mentor to it
SafeWork NSW Award for safety response to COVID-19
2020
Top Insurance Employer
2021
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.”