Optio
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The MGA was without backing since March 2023, after Markel and Chaucer pulled their PVT paper.
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The incoming A&H head brings over 22 years' underwriting experience.
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The underwriter will be reunited with former colleague and current head of terrorism, political violence and war, Andy Bauckham.
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The specialty MGA cited the recent contraction in the reinsurance treaty market as a reason for its loss of capacity but said it was in advanced discussions with other providers.
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The appointment comes one year after David Robinson joined the firm in March 2022 as managing director.
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Victoria Barrett will be responsible for building Optio’s financial lines proposition.
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Tom Kennett was previously senior political violence underwriter at Munich Re and before that a political violence broker for several years.
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Mark Butler will help Northcourt, Optio’s nuclear risk subsidiary, to raise its profile within government and the nuclear sector.
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The group has hired two senior executives from Besso Re Middle East to run the operation.
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The moves build out the MGA's W&I capabilities following the acquisition of W&I-focused MGA Brockwell Capital earlier this month.
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Paul Western joined the business when the MGA group was in the early stages of formation in 2019.
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It is understood that Ascent is currently in negotiations with a number of new potential lead markets.