News - Optio (4)

Optio strengthens financial lines proposition with senior hire

Optio strengthens financial lines proposition with senior hire

Optio Group, the specialty MGA, today announces the appointment of Victoria Barrett as head of financial lines with immediate effect. […]

Group announcements

Northcourt appoints Ed Butler as advisor to meet nuclear industry challenges

GROUP ANNOUNCEMENTS

Optio establishes MGA and broking operations in Dubai

GROUP ANNOUNCEMENTS

A Guide to Contractors’ Quality Management Planning

A Guide to Contractors’ Quality Management Planning

Insolvency is the most common cause of claims under Subcontractor Default Insurance (SDI), but the collective cost of claims for […]

SENIOR RISK ENGINEER, COVE PROGRAMS

Political Violence & Terrorism

Active Assailant cover for medical facilities

Global Head Of Political Violence & Terrorism

Chris brings a wealth of experience to Optio having operated for over twenty years in the Political Risk, War, and Terrorism market in London, the USA, Middle East, and Africa. The Political Violence & Terrorism team will focus on clients with operations outside of North America and Western Europe and we can provide direct and reinsurance coverage for terrorism, strikes, riots and civil commotion, and war on land for businesses of all sizes. We plan to expand the offering to provide Political and Counter Party risk to their clients and over time evolve into a comprehensive Crisis Management unit, offering a bouquet of coverage’s to protect a client’s profitability from actions or non-performance by third parties.

Optio builds PVT proposition with active assailant cover for medical facilities

GROUP ANNOUNCEMENTS

Surviving in a harsh climate

Surviving in a harsh climate

Tax insurance, ie insurance cover for identified tax risks, by its very nature, gives an insight into what gets a […]

Richard Taylor-Whiteway

Head of Tax, Brockwell Capital

Since Richard joined the team in 2019, Brockwell has developed a reputation for its outstanding international tax offering that is known for lateral-thinking and reliability. Prior to Brockwell Richard was a tax lawyer in CMS’ London tax team and specialised in advising institutional investors and asset managers at both fund and portfolio level, as well as regularly advising private equity firms on all aspects of cross-border M&A. He was heavily involved in CMS’ transactional risk insurance practice, both arranging insurance for clients and advising most W&I insurance providers. Richard was seconded to the Allied World M&A team in 2015, where he underwrote global W&I risks. However, Richard first gained insurance experience at Allianz in 2008 where he held various roles until 2013. Richard is regularly asked to speak about tax and transactional insurance and has written several articles published in the Tax Journal, Taxation Magazine, the International Tax Review, and Tax Adviser. Richard is ‘top recommended’ in the Spear’s 500 index of insurance advisers to high-net-worth individuals.

Employee Spotlight: Paula Medcalf

Paula Medcalf, MCIPD

ACCIDENT & HEALTH

Travel insurance for the 2022 holiday season

HEAD OF ACCIDENT & HEALTH

Cove Programs appoints SDI claims director

Cove Programs appoints SDI claims director

Optio Group, the specialty MGA, today announces the appointment of Tom Godsey who joins Cove Programs, an Optio company, as claims director for its subcontractor default insurance (SDI) practice. Based in Tennessee, Godsey will report to both Nathan Espe, head of SDI, and Nick Woodward, claims director, and assumes his role effective immediately. […]

GROUP ANNOUNCEMENTS

Men’s mental health blog

SOFTWARE DEVELOPER

Mental Health Statistics

Marketing Manager

Mental Health Awareness week at Optio

Mental Health Awareness week at Optio

When writing my previous blog for Mental Health Awareness Week, 2021, I was the only mental health first aider (MHFA) at Optio. Now we have six MHFAs; some male, others female and across varying levels of the company so everyone feels they have someone they can approach. […]

Paula Medcalf, MCIPD

Women’s Mental Health

Group Underwriting Manager

Mental health myths

Director of Northcourt

Zemfira Knott has over sixteen years management experience including many years in the nuclear insurance industry. Reporting directly to the CEO and the Board of Directors she manages the day-to-day operations of the business which includes responsibility for compliance, marketing and audits. Zemfira also oversees the production of insurance documentation as well as working closely with the Company’s insurance panel and its broker network. Previously Zemfira worked as a Business Manager for Northcourt’s parent company operating in London and Washington DC. She was directly involved in a number of high-profile projects in the nuclear and energy sector providing strategic and advisory services to the top management of several large multinational companies. In order to assist clients on geo-political issues, Zemfira worked closely with N10 Downing Street, Members of Parliament and UK Embassies globally. Prior to that Zemfira held a senior management position with 50 direct reports. She was responsible for developing and implementing operational strategies for increased profitability and improved customer service. As part of her many achievements she successfully turned around several struggling operations. Zemfira graduated from the Business School, Sociology and Economy Department of Daugavpils Institute where she also studied Business Psychology. Zemfira is an associate member of WiN Global (Women in Nuclear), member of Chartered Insurance Institute and a member of the Financial Times Non-Executive Directors' Club.