Optio names Axa's Head CUO

By Michael Jones

Feb 11 - (The Insurer) - Specialty MGA Optio Group has appointed Gary Head as chief underwriting officer.

Head has joined the MGA following almost five years at Axa, where he led its schemes and delegated authority, financial lines and specialty teams.

Prior to Axa, Head spent more than two decades at Hiscox, including six years as Hiscox UK CUO and three years as Hiscox USA CUO.

The move has continued a recent series of hires at Optio, which kicked off with the appointment of Deepak Soni as group CEO.

Other senior appointments have included Insi Davenport as group chief risk officer, Marc Van der Veer as Europe managing director and Joanna Eilts as head of legal.