Managing general agent Optio Group has appointed Joanna Eilts to the newly created role of head of legal. She will be based in London and the company said her expertise would support its long-term global expansion strategy for growth through acquisitions across Europe. She joins from Goodwin Procter where she served as a senior private-equity lawyer.

Deepak Soni (pictured), chief executive officer of Optio Group, said: “Joanna’s wide-ranging experience and expertise brings essential legal knowledge to the senior team as we embark on further acquisitions and scale up our operations.”

Eilts said: “Having seen through many transactions and advised both buy and sell side clients, the opportunity to devote my sole attention to such a highly capable business intent on global expansion was compelling.”