Strata insurer CHU has appointed Regional Manager NSW/ACT Kimberley Jonsson to succeed CEO Bobby Lehane, who is leaving the Steadfast-owned business in March next year.

Ms Jonsson will be the first woman to hold the position when she starts in her new role on April 1.

Steadfast CEO and MD Robert Kelly thanked Mr Lehane for his stewardship of the business and says he is confident his successor, who has been with the strata specialist for 15 years, is the right person to take over.

“[Ms Jonsson] is a formidable executive who has a proven track record of success and I am delighted to see her continue her amazing career at CHU,” Mr Kelly said.

Ms Jonsson says it’s a “dream come true” for her, as she started her insurance career at CHU.

Ms Jonsson joined CHU in 2005 as customer service officer in Adelaide before climbing up the ranks, according to her LinkedIn account.

“Operationally, we are well placed to deliver upon our strategy to 2025 and I am very optimistic for the future,” she said.

Mr Lehane says the appointment of Ms Jonsson marks a “perfect ending to this chapter” of his career.

“I am just thrilled that [she] will succeed me as CEO,” he said. “It is undoubtedly one of the best insurance roles in Australia, and I couldn’t be happier to see an internal successor appointed.”

Mr Lehane became CEO in April 2015, with his appointment announced shortly after Steadfast acquired the business from QBE. Before CHU he was EGM commercial insurance with Zurich.

He says he “could not be more pleased with the progress, growth and development of CHU” since he joined and was ready for a new challenge.