David Newman named Maddocks chief executive

Maddocks has revealed that its next chief executive will be David Newman.

A 20-year veteran of the firm, Newman succeeds Michelle Dixon on 1 October, who is serving in her last term as chief executive, a role she commenced in 2014.

Based in Melbourne, Newman joined Maddocks in 2000 and became a partner in 2002. He has held leadership positions at the firm, including completing two terms on the firm’s board and leading the corporate and commercial and the banking and insolvency practices.

“David has shown considerable leadership skills and business acumen over his 20 years at Maddocks,” said Mark Henry, Maddocks chairman. “He is considered a highly trusted adviser by his clients and has held various senior leadership roles at Maddocks over many years. He has also been instrumental in key projects for the firm, including the move of the Melbourne office in 2016 to Collins Square, the launch and implementation of the firm’s innovation strategy, and the development of the firm’s overarching business strategy.”

Newman said that Maddocks has been a significant part of his life in the last two decades and that he is “incredibly proud to have been given the opportunity to lead this great firm.”

“We have grown enormously over this time and I look forward to working with the partners, the Board and our talented lawyers and shared services teams to take on the challenges that currently face us and to continue to provide outstanding service to our clients and business partners,” he said.

Dixon said that she looks forward to working with Newman to ensure a smooth transition. The two leaders will start working on the transition on 1 July, the firm said.

“David brings many great qualities to the role, in particular his passion for Maddocks, the growth and development of our people and a strong focus on clients,” she said. “I look forward to working with David over the coming months as we enter the next chapter in the firm’s 135-year history.”