Specialty managing general agent (MGA) Optio Group has announced a strategic investment in the Italian MGA Heca S.r.l. for an undisclosed amount. The deal aligns with Optio’s European expansion plans and signals its confidence in Heca’s potential for future growth.
Heca, established in Ortona, Abruzzo, in 2010, has become a prominent MGA in Italy, offering a range of products and a fully digital platform complemented by personalised service. The company is known for its proprietary customer relationship management system, which provides brokers and intermediaries with extensive support.
Heca also offers a blockchain-based policy verification service, aimed at enhancing transparency in surety transactions. The integration of Heca's technology-driven approach with Optio's existing operations is expected to open new growth opportunities for both firms.
This investment follows Optio's recent acquisitions of other European MGAs, including Netherlands-and-Brussels-based Den Hartigh in July and Luxembourg-based Circles Group, which specialises in film and events insurance, last week. The acquisition of Heca marks another step in Optio's strategy to develop a balanced platform through a combination of buy-and-build initiatives across Europe.
Deepak Soni (pictured above), CEO of Optio Group, noted Heca’s growth under the leadership of founder and CEO Emmanuele Menicucci, along with managing partner Nick Evers, as aligning with the entrepreneurial culture that Optio aims to support.
“We seek to remain a long-term stakeholder and intend to support them as they continue building on their ambition, for customers and partners. This is the latest important development in our European expansion strategy as we look to acquire and invest in entrepreneur-led, technologically advanced and innovative MGA businesses, with a strong proven track record of success,” Soni said.
Heca CEO Emmanuele Menicucci commented on the partnership, stating that Heca shares Optio’s cultural values and entrepreneurial spirit.
“This is a very exciting time for European MGA’s and we look forward to working with Optio to fulfil our strategic ambitions and those of our new partner,” Menicucci said.
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