Profile
“Success is when we resolve a client’s issue, and they feel supported and genuinely happy with the outcome”
George Louca,
3LANE Finance
Simone Labady leads Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance NZ with a passion for driving strategic change and building high-performance cultures that deliver exceptional products and services to customers. With a deep love for technology, she spends much of her time exploring innovative platforms and solutions, encouraging her teams to push beyond their comfort zones.
“Building technologies ‘out of the box’ sounds simple, but delivering it is where true innovation happens,” Labady says.
As a board member of the Insurance Council of New Zealand, Labady is committed to shaping the future of the insurance industry. She believes in the importance of the industry’s role in providing critical support during times of need and views it as a trusted voice in building resilient communities across New Zealand.
Central to Labady’s mission is her people strategy, which focuses on nurturing individual careers and helping employees grow, adapt and thrive. She believes that when people reach milestones they once thought impossible, it instills a sense of pride and unlocks lasting success for both the individual and the organisation. By investing in people today, Labady is helping to ensure the industry’s strength, resilience and innovation for tomorrow.
Building C, Level 3, 602 Great South Road, Ellerslie 1051
+64 9 394 9000
simone.labady@aioi.co.nz
simone.labady@aioi.co.nz
aioi.co.nz
Simone Labady
Chief Executive Officer
Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance NZ
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Special Report
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Bio
Milestones
Special Report
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Bio
Milestones
“I recognise the need to build a stronger brand presence online that differentiates us from the many other brokers and bankers in the market”
George Louca,
3LANE Finance
1995–2009
2009–2011
2011–2012
2012–2017
Present
Manager at AAMI
1995–
2009
Portfolio Manager at CGU Insurance
2009–
2011
National Portfolio Manager at Wesfarmers Insurance
2011–
2012
Business Integration Manager at RAC WA
2012–
2017
CEO at Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance NZ since 2018
Director at Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance NZ since 2024
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
One of his most pressing challenges is incorporating a social media presence into the business, which has already been successful in terms of repeat business and referrals.
“I recognise the need to build a stronger brand presence online that differentiates us from the many other brokers and bankers in the market,” he adds. “My focus is on being more active on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn, which increases visibility and reinforces our position as a firm that consistently solves problems and delivers results.”
George approaches his work with passion and commitment and excels at solving problems, working closely with clients, and building something meaningful for them and the business.
A people person at heart, he finds satisfaction in making a difference. He often puts in long hours, not out of obligation, but because he cares about the work and the growth of 3LANE Finance.
However, it has been an intricate process to ensure his team are onboard with his vision. Kuhn places importance of explaining his targets and the blueprint to achieve them.
He adds, “The biggest challenge is getting everyone comfortable with the pace that I’m looking for to drive our buildout and growth. How I deal with it is by being open and transparent, and responsive to questions or concerns. This way, everything gets thoroughly discussed and resolved.”
With almost four decades in the industry, Kuhn has developed methods that have consistently delivered. It is why he has been tasked with so many leadership roles and he intends to maintain his focus on creating more success at Westfield Specialty.
“I think I am and have always tried to be methodical. I look at the big picture yet stay focused on executing the different opportunities or plans that I have in front of me. I don’t get emotional or make emotional decisions.”
Chief underwriting officer of executive risk at Chubb
President of financial insurance solutions at Kemper
Chief underwriting officer at Axis Capital
CEO of global Insurance at Endurance
CEO of global Insurance at Sompo International
George and his team attract and keep clients by delivering tangible results and personalising the process. Most of their work comes from referrals or repeat business, reinforcing that they are doing the right thing. He takes the time to understand what each client needs financially and emotionally and treats their challenges like his own.
“If we do our job well, there’s no reason for them to look elsewhere,” he adds. “Success is when we resolve a client’s issue, and they feel supported and genuinely happy with the outcome.”
He is most proud of building the brokerage from a one-person operation to a six-person team in 2025. That growth was never part of his original plan, but the company took on a life of its own thanks to strong demand, repeat business, and steady referrals.
“I see that growth as a direct reflection of the service we’ve delivered and the trust we’ve earned,” George reflects.
3LANE Finance is known for its expertise in securing commercial finance for various clients, including medical professionals, childcare operators, professional services firms, property investors and small business owners.
MPA named George Louca to its prestigious Top Commercial Brokers of 2025 list, recognising his standout performance by total commercial loan volume over FY24.
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