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Board And Management
Board And Management

Board of Directors

Frank O'Halloran AM
Frank O'Halloran AM
Non-Executive Chair (independent) Chair Nomination Committee

Frank has over 49 years' experience in the insurance industry. He worked at QBE for 35 years and was Group CEO from 1998 until 2012. He also worked with Coopers & Lybrand for 13 years where he started his career as a Chartered Accountant. Frank was President of the Insurance Council of Australia from 1999 to 2000 and was inducted into the International Insurance Hall of Fame in 2010. Frank received his AM for services to the insurance industry and philanthropy.

Robert B. Kelly AM
Robert B. Kelly AM
Founder, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer

Robert co-founded Steadfast and has over 52 years’ experience in the insurance industry. Robert is a Qualified Practising Insurance Broker, a Fellow of NIBA, a Senior Associate of ANZIIF, a Certified Insurance Professional, a Fellow of the AICD and the Chair of the ACORD Board in New York. In 2025, Robert received the Lifetime Achievement Award at both the Insurance Business Australia Awards and the ANZIIF Awards. These honours underscore his commitment to excellence and innovation in the world of insurance. Robert is also a director of not-for-profit organisation KidsXpress.

Vicki Allen
Vicki Allen
Non-Executive Director (independent) Chair Remuneration & Performance Committee

Vicki has over 30 years' business experience across the financial services and property sectors. She held senior executive roles at a number of organisations including Trust Company, MLC Limited and Lend Lease Corporation. Vicki is currently a Non-Executive Director of ING Bank (Australia) Ltd, T Corp, GPT Funds Management Ltd and New Forests Pty Ltd. Vicki holds an MBA, Bachelor of Business (Accounting) and is a Fellow of the AICD.

Andrew Bloore
Andrew Bloore
Non-Executive Director (independent)

Andrew has over 35 years' experience in the Australian superannuation administration, insurance and technology sectors. He is highly experienced in the design and delivery of disruptive technologies and distribution models to improve efficiencies in superannuation administration. Andrew also sat on a wide range of Australian Tax Office and Treasury Committees. He is currently the Chair of Guild Group and its subsidiaries. Andrew is a Director of Guild Insurance, Insignia Financial Ltd (ASX:IFL) and Simonds Ltd.

Joan Cleary
Joan Cleary
Non-Executive Director (independent) Chair Audit & Risk Committee

Joan has over 30 years' finance and leadership experience in the general insurance and reinsurance industry. She held senior executive roles at a number of organisations in Australia and England including QBE Insurance Group Limited, and GE’s London Market reinsurance operations. Joan is a Non-Executive Director of Lawcover Insurance Pty Ltd and Gordian RunOff Ltd. Joan holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Exeter. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and is a Graduate of the AICD.

Michael Goodwin
Michael Goodwin
Non-Executive Director (independent)

Michael has over 30 years’ experience in the insurance industry, having held senior executive roles in Australia and the Asia Pacific region. Michael is a Non-Executive Director on three Steadfast Singapore entities - Steadfast Distribution Services Pte Ltd, NCI Brokers (Asia) Pte. Ltd and Galaxy Insurance Consultants Pte Ltd. Michael is a Non-Executive Director of Hiscox Group Limited (LSE:HSX). He is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia and is a Fellow of the AICD.

Gai McGrath
Gai McGrath
Non-Executive Director (independent) Chair People, Culture & Governance Committee

Gai has over 35 years’ experience in the financial services and legal industries. Before transitioning to her board career, Gai established herself as a respected leader in financial services, including dedicating 12 years to the Westpac Group. There, she held pivotal positions including oversight of the flagship Retail Banks in both Australia and New Zealand, while also taking on senior leadership roles within the group's wealth management division, BT Financial Group. Gai is a director of HBF Health, Insignia Financial Ltd (ASX:IFL) and Waypoint REIT (ASX: WPR). Gai holds a Masters of Laws from the London School of Economics and is a Fellow of the AICD.

Greg Rynenberg
Greg Rynenberg
Non-Executive Director

Greg has over 43 years’ experience in the insurance broking industry, with 39 years spent running his own business, East West Group. East West Group is a Steadfast Network broker not owned by Steadfast. Greg is a Qualified Practising Insurance Broker, a Fellow of NIBA and an Associate of ANZIIF. He holds an Advanced Diploma in Financial Services (General Insurance Broking).

Senior Management Team

Robert B. Kelly AM
Robert B. Kelly AM
Founder, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer

Robert co-founded Steadfast and has over 52 years’ experience in the insurance industry. Robert is a Qualified Practising Insurance Broker, a Fellow of NIBA, a Senior Associate of ANZIIF, a Certified Insurance Professional, a Fellow of the AICD and the Chair of the ACORD Board in New York. In 2025, Robert received the Lifetime Achievement Award at both the Insurance Business Australia Awards and the ANZIIF Awards. These honors underscore his commitment to excellence and innovation in the world of insurance. Robert is also a director of not-for-profit organisation KidsXpress.

David Gillespie
David Gillespie
Chief Technology Officer

David joined Steadfast in May 2025. He has over 20 years' experience in transformation and operational roles within financial services organisations across Australia, India, and Europe. Prior to joining Steadfast, David was Chief Information Officer at Allianz Australia, Alinta Energy and TAL Australia and held senior leadership roles at Fidelity International, Bupa and EDS. David is a member of the AICD and holds a Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Engineering in Microelectronics.

Samantha Hollman
Samantha Hollman
Chief Executive Officer – International

Samantha has 30 years' experience in the insurance industry including 25 years at Steadfast. She was COO from 2016 - 2023, directing and managing operational activities of the organisation and ensuring the implementation of the overall strategy. Samantha was promoted in April 2023 to the new role of CEO – International and is responsible for planning and executing the Group's international strategy. She has undertaken executive education at INSEAD in France and Harvard Business School in the USA.

Hannah Lee
Hannah Lee
Interim Chief Financial Officer

Hannah joined Steadfast in 2016 and has extensive experience across treasury, strategic capital management, mergers and acquisitions, financial planning and analysis, tax and statutory reporting. Hannah previously served as Group Financial Controller and is a qualified Chartered Accountant.

Tim Mathieson
Tim Mathieson
Chief Executive Officer – Australasia Broking

Tim Mathieson joined Steadfast Group in 2015 and has over 25 years' industry experience, most recently as CEO of QIB Group, one of the largest insurance broking groups in Australasia. He was previously Head of Broker Network at Steadfast and prior to this held several leadership roles with QBE Insurance which he joined as a graduate in 1998. He holds an MBA, Master of Insurance and Risk Management, and Bachelor of Commerce. He is an ANZIIF Fellow and AICD graduate.

Noelene Palmer
Noelene Palmer
Chief Operating Officer

Noelene joined Steadfast in July 2024. She has over 20 years’ experience working in operations leadership roles in the financial services industry, including banking, general insurance, life insurance and reinsurance. Recently she has worked in senior leadership roles including as COO Financial Crime and Fraud Prevention at Westpac, COO Swiss Re Australia and Chief of Staff for KPMG Lead Accounts in Hong Kong. Noelene has significant global experience, working across Asia, Europe and USA markets and holds degrees in communications and law, and has an MBA from AGSM.

Duncan Ramsay
Duncan Ramsay
Chief Legal Officer

Duncan joined Steadfast in June 2014 after 20 years at QBE where he was Group General Counsel and Company Secretary. Duncan's career commenced in 1986 with Freehills in Sydney. He holds degrees in commerce and law and a Graduate Certificate in Applied Risk Management. Duncan is a Fellow of ANZIIF and the Governance Institute of Australia, as well as being a graduate of the AICD.

Mark Senkevics
Mark Senkevics
Chief Executive Officer – Underwriting Agencies

Mark Senkevics joined Steadfast Group in July 2024 and has over 25 years' experience in the reinsurance industry. His experience spans underwriting, corporate governance, risk management, and fostering diverse, high-performing teams. Prior to Steadfast, Mark held leadership roles at Swiss Re across APAC. Mark has served on boards and committees of Swiss Re Australia Ltd, the Insurance Council of Australia and the Financial Services Council. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) and is a graduate of the AICD.

Ferzana Yale
Ferzana Yale
Chief People Officer

Ferzana Yale joined Steadfast in September 2024. Ferzana has over 25 years' experience in Human Resources, bringing a track record of strategic leadership across the entire spectrum of the people function. Her expertise has significantly contributed to businesses achieving profitable and sustainable growth through effective people strategies. Ferzana has held HR leadership positions in Link Group, EML Payments, iCare, Medibank, and Sainsbury’s whilst working in London and Sydney.

Nick Cook
Nick Cook
Executive General Manager – Australasian Networks, Broker and Insurer Services

Nick joined Steadfast 10 years ago, and currently oversees the strategic direction, operational excellence and growth initiatives for the Steadfast Networks across the Asia-Pacific region. With a career spanning over three decades in the insurance and financial services industry, Nick brings a wealth of experience in managing complex networks, enhancing carrier relationships, and delivering exceptional service to brokers. Nick is a ANZIIF (Assoc) CIP, member of AICD and President of NIBA.

Nick McKee
Nick McKee
Chief Operating Officer – International

Nick McKee joined Steadfast Group in October 2023 as Chief Operating Officer –International. He has extensive global leadership experience in insurance and other areas of financial services and was based in New York for more than 20 years. Previous roles include Head of Strategy & Corporate Development for Marsh & McLennan Companies and Head of Financial Institutions - Direct Private Equity for CPP Investments. Nick holds degrees in commerce and law.

Eimear McKeever
Eimear McKeever
Chief Financial Officer – International

Eimear joined Steadfast in 2012 to assist Steadfast in its public listing on the Australian Securities Exchange. Eimear has extensive experience in senior finance roles, specialising in corporate finance, financial planning and analysis, acquisitions, treasury, and statutory reporting. Eimear was Finance Director for Steadfast Group until October 2023 when she was promoted to Chief Financial Officer – International. Eimear is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

John O'Herlihy
John O'Herlihy
Executive General Manager – Operations & Acquisitions

John joined Steadfast in 2012 and is joint lead of the M&A and Subsidiary Performance team. Having completed his professional accounting training with KPMG in 1996, John has spent over 20 years working within the insurance industry. During this time he has held a number of senior finance and operational roles in both North America and Australia specialising in corporate transactions. John holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree, is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland and is a graduate of the AICD.

Jeff Papps
Jeff Papps
Executive General Manager – Operations & Acquisitions

Jeff joined Steadfast in 2012 and is joint lead of the M&A and Subsidiary Performance team. Prior to joining Steadfast, Jeff worked for PwC specialising in financial services. After transferring from London to Sydney in 1998, he focused on mergers and acquisitions, leading domestic and cross border transactions and listings across Australia, Asia, Europe and North America. Jeff holds a Master of Arts degree in Maths, is a Fellow of the ICAEW and graduate of the AICD.

Shalome Ruiter
Shalome Ruiter
Executive General Manager – Investor Relations & ESG

Shalome joined Steadfast in October 2019 and has 25 years’ experience working in the financial markets and funds management industries. During this time, she has held a number of investor relations and communications roles for ASX listed companies. Shalome holds a Bachelor of Business and a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance, as well as being a graduate of the AICD.