Vienna Insurance Group AG's Prague-based unit VIG RE zajištovna a.s. named Patrick Chevrel head of its new underwriting team for Western Europe, effective Oct. 16.

Chevrel will lead the company's development in the region, which will focus on France, Belgium and Luxembourg. He will report directly to VIG Re CEO and Chairman Johannes Martin Hartmann.

Previously, Chevrel was with PartnerRe Ltd., where he was head of global accounts.

In March, Vienna Insurance said it plans to expand VIG Re's business in Germany and Western Europe. It launched an office in Frankfurt in late September.