Optio, the specialty MGA and Lloyd’s Broker, today announced it has established a European office in Malta having received regulatory approval from the Malta Financial Services Authority and Lloyd’s Coverholder and Broker approval.

Optio Europe Brokers Limited (trading as Optio Europe), will serve as the growth engine for the company’s expanding underwriting and broking portfolios across the European Economic Area.

Optio Europe’s Malta-based team comprises Martin Rimmer, director and general manager, and Paul Darmanin, non-executive director. Its London-based directors include Kevin Hastings, Group CEO, John Mawson, Group COO and Kevin Cleary, Group CCO and UK branch manager, who will also serve as branch manager for Optio Europe.

The development follows the appointment of Matthew Fosh as executive chairman in October to address the market opportunity for Optio and support its expansion.

Hastings said:

“I am extremely pleased to announce the creation of Optio’s European office in Malta, which underlines our commitment to growing our EEA-domiciled business. Optio Europe will allow us to better serve our existing European business and enable us to accelerate growth in multiple product lines across the region into 2021 and beyond.”