Cinven and La Caisse Acquire UK Specialty Insurance MGA Optio Group

International private‑equity firm Cinven and Quebec‑based investment manager La Caisse have agreed to purchase a majority stake in Optio Group, a United Kingdom‑based specialty insurance managing general agent. The acquisition, from Preservation Capital Partners, will give the new shareholders control of a platform that has grown from £35 million in premiums in 2018 to more than £460 million across 18 offices in 15 countries, offering over 30 products with capacity from Hiscox and other A‑rated insurers. Optio’s CEO Deepak Soni said the partnership will support the company’s next growth phase, while the management team will remain heavily invested. The terms of the deal were not disclosed and the transaction is subject to regulatory approval.

The deal highlights the appeal of diversified MGA platforms that combine underwriting expertise with a broad product range, and it adds to recent private‑equity activity in the specialty‑insurance sector.