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Steadfast Appoints Noelene Palmer as New COO

COO

Business Honor
01 April, 2025

Steadfast promotes Noelene Palmer to COO and Tim Mathieson to CEO of Australasia Broking.

Steadfast, an Australian broking and distribution of insurance group, has promoted Noelene Palmer to Chief Operating Officer (COO), after announcing that existing COO Nigel Fitzgerald will retire on July 1st, 2025. Fitzgerald, who has played a key role in Steadfast's development during the last two years, will continue in a senior advisory position until September 30th, 2025, to provide a seamless handover. He will also remain committed to Steadfast, serving on the board of a number of Steadfast subsidiaries.

Noelene Palmer, who brings nearly 25 years of industry experience, has been a senior leader across a number of markets around the world, including IAG, TAL, Swiss Re, and KPMG. Prior to joining Steadfast in July 2024 as Executive General Manager of Operations, her most recent position was COO of the Financial Crime and Fraud Prevention team at Westpac. Palmer was responsible for streamlining the operations and driving the company's efficiency.

Robert Kelly, Steadfast founder and chief executive, spoke highly of Palmer's promotion, mentioning her deep industry experience and her work in enhancing the company's operational efficiency since she joined. "Noelene is bringing huge experience in insurance and is an outstanding member of our leadership team," Kelly said.

Moreover, Steadfast has also upgraded Tim Mathieson to Australasia Broking CEO, starting May 1st, 2025. Mathieson, who has more than 25 years of experience in the industry, joined Steadfast almost a decade ago and will now head the Australasia Broking business.