News - Optio (6)

Mental health myths

Mental health myths

As with our physical health, our mental wellbeing is something that needs to be nurtured and maintained. However, despite growing […]

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.

Political Violence & Terrorism

Assessing the terror threat on opposite sides of the Atlantic

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.

Spring Statement concessions to fuel ‘proactive’ tax collection

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.

David Robinson joins Optio as Managing Director

David Robinson joins Optio as Managing Director

Optio Group, the specialty MGA, today announces the appointment of David Robinson as managing director, effective March 1st. Based in London, Robinson will join the group executive committee and oversee Optio’s underwriting, claims and data support functions and report to executive chairman Matthew Fosh. […]

GROUP ANNOUNCEMENTS

Optio expands W&I proposition with increased line size and hire

GROUP ANNOUNCEMENTS

Optio – InterWorks

GROUP ANNOUNCEMENTS

Managing Subcontractor Default Risk in Today’s Environment

Managing Subcontractor Default Risk in Today’s Environment

As the pandemic continues to disrupt supply chains and cause inflationary pressure on the engineering and construction (E&C) industry, we […]

Optio appoints UK Political Violence & Terrorism head and triples line size

GROUP ANNOUNCEMENTS

Cove Programs appoints SDI senior risk engineer

GROUP ANNOUNCEMENTS

Organized theft: Insurance coverage & retail crime

Political Violence & Terrorism

Organized theft: Insurance coverage & retail crime

“Organized theft rings” screamed headlines toward the end of 2021 as a string of incidents riddled authorities and shook shop owners in major cities across the country, moving some retailers to beef up security and municipalities to reroute traffic to stop the trend. […]

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.

UK will need to look small to go big on nuclear reactors plan

Senior Consultant, Northcourt

Optio acquires leading W&I specialty MGA Brockwell

GROUP ANNOUNCEMENTS

The growing imperative for SMEs to up their IT security

The growing imperative for SMEs to up their IT security

The ever-escalating frequency and severity of cyber-attacks is becoming impossible to miss, with this year seeing mega breaches and record-breaking ransomware demands. […]

Senior Underwriter

Sabrina has over 15 years’ experience working in senior roles within Underwriting. Prior to joining Ascent Underwriting in 2019, Sabrina has previously worked at AIG, Zurich and AXA Insurance. In her position as Senior Cyber and Technology Underwriter, Sabrina is responsible for the underwriting and placement of Global Cyber and Technology risks and contributing to the profitable growth of the existing portfolio.

Political Violence & Terrorism

A world of trouble for political violence insurers

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.

Insurers run from ransomware cover as losses mount