UK-based specialty managing general agent Optio Group has hired Oliver Sheppard as its new head of financial lines.  

Sheppard takes on the new role immediately, operating out of London. He will report to Optio Group CEO Deepak Soni.  

Sheppard is tasked with overseeing the company’s professional indemnity portfolio development and management, which includes responsibility for profit and loss as well as market capacity. 

With nearly two decades of experience in financial lines, his expertise spans both Lloyd’s and company markets in London.  

Prior to joining Optio, Sheppard served as the head of UK and international professional indemnity at Munitus Insurance for three years.  

His career also includes senior professional indemnity underwriter positions at Allianz Global, RSA, AIG and Zurich. 

Optio CEO Deepak Soni said: “We are delighted to welcome Oliver to our growing team. As we continue with our global growth strategy through strategic acquisitions, achieving profitable organic growth across the markets we serve is also critical.

“Oliver brings extensive blue-chip company-market experience, which will be extremely valuable in driving the continued growth and development of this profitable and important class for Optio.” 

Sheppard added: “I am pleased to join Optio at such an exciting time in its growth. I look forward to working alongside Deepak and the experienced team to further build Optio’s position as a high-quality financial lines market.” 

The latest move follows the appointment of Insi Davenport as Optio‘s group chief risk officer. 

This is the third newly created position within the company after the appointments of Marc Van der Veer as MD for Europe and Joanna Eilts as legal head.