Optimal, the business protection and employee based solutions provider set up by Holloway Friendly, is expanding.

Having completed its first year in operation, Optimal has made two new engagements this month in both business development and underwriting.  Emma Grogan joins as business development manager for the North of England and Amy Hemming, previously of HSBC, undertakes a role as scheme underwriter.

Before joining Optimal, Grogan worked with Jelf and has been in the employee benefits industry for 18 years.  With a background in financial planning, pensions and investments she has worked with both providers and protection advisers.

She said: “This is an exciting opportunity; Optimal is a forward thinking, flexible protection provider.  The group protection industry needs new providers, so this is a great time to join this ever expanding, increasingly successful business.

“I am looking forward to working closely with the intermediary market and am excited to front and deliver new ideas and products and share these both with existing protection advisers working with us and prospective new ones.”

Hemming previously worked at Lutine Assurance as a scheme underwriter and is rejoining former colleagues at Optimal.

Optimal, which launched in March 2014, provides group life cover and employee based solutions exclusively to the intermediated insurance market.

Nigel Hartley, managing director of Optimal, said: “Both Emma and Amy will play an important part in ensuring the continued growth and success of Optimal – particularly with the launch of a new product imminent!

“With Emma providing face to face relationship management, supporting both our existing Northern-based intermediaries as well as developing new relationships, group protection advisers will notice a real increase in the level of support they receive.

“Amy will also provide a vital role, with the other Optimal scheme underwriters, to ensure that we are able to maintain our exceptional service standards.”