Ascent Underwriting, a group company of Optio, has appointed Kieran Shiret and Henry Rydon as its newest underwriters for cyber insurance.

Both Shiret and Rydon will bring “additional cyber expertise and experience” to Optio – particularly in the company’s core market of North America. Shiret was most recently an underwriter with Beazley, while Rydon previously held an underwriting role at Equinox.

The two will report to Caspar Stops, head of cyber and technology at Ascent Underwriting.

“I am extremely pleased to announce the appointments of Kieran and Henry; two extremely talented underwriters with considerable drive, composure and technical ability,” Stops commented. “Their appointments reflect the strong demand for cyber products in North America and our ongoing efforts to keep pace with that demand.”

Optio is the union of Ascent Underwriting, a cyber-specialty managing general agent (MGA), and Cove Programs, a construction-focused MGA. Originally going by the name Ascent-Cove, the group underwent a rebrand last month.

Read more: Ascent-Cove announces rebrand

Both Ascent and Cove are owned by private equity firm Preservation Capital Partners.

Also last month, Optio named Ian Beaton – founder and CEO of Ark Syndicate – as non-executive director.