Steadfast-backed Sure Insurance has made key appointments aiming to strengthen its expertise across the claims and management functions.

Graham Dale has joined the regional and northern Queensland agency as head of claims, and Kahlee Ferguson has taken the newly created position of strategy and relationship manager.

Mr Dale has previously worked as RACQ Insurance GM of claims, IAG New Zealand national claims manager and Tower Insurance New Zealand manager of earthquake recovery.

He brings an “extraordinary level of experience”, according to Sure MD Bradley Heath.

“He has directly managed numerous major catastrophes and has an impressive, proven track record across event and non-event claims management, and for delivering claims functions that have achieved best practice outcomes for policyholders,” Mr Heath said.

Ms Ferguson previously worked at Suncorp for more than six years, including as head of customer experience and EM of disaster response.

Sure, which provides home and contents and residential strata cover, says Ms Ferguson is a “recognised” insurance specialist.

“In this new key management role, Kahlee will assist the Sure leadership team to drive organisational strategy and manage critical strategic relationships with Sure’s growing number of binder providers and within Steadfast,” Mr Heath said.

Steadfast acquired a 70% equity stake in Sure last November.