Willis Research Network (WRN) has appointed insurance veteran Gero Michel as managing director to drive the integration of its scientific research into reinsurance market models and applications.

He will be supported by WRN's research director, Matthew Foote, and communications director Tricia Holly Davis.

Mr. Michel has joined from Endurance Specialty in Bermuda, where he was head of international property catastrophe underwriting and catastrophe analytics. He has more than 25 years experience of hazard, risk and catastrophe modelling experience, having begun his career as a geoscientist and lecturer in Germany.

Willis Re has also appointed David Simmons as managing director, international enterprise risk management. Mr. Simmons, formerly of Aon Benfield, has more than 25 years of industry analytics' experience with Grieg Fester, Benfield and Aon Benfield.

He will be responsible for leading Willis Re's services, software and solutions for Solvency II-related activities.

Linley Ah-Chung has been appointed managing director, analytics at Willis Re Specialty. Formerly head of analytics, specialty at Aon Benfield, Ah-Chung has 20 years of industry experience in risk-based analytics, and will lead the development and delivery of analytics' capabilities to Willis Re's marine, aviation and retrocessional clients.

These appointments follow that of Matthew Eagle as executive director of Willis Re, who has been charged with leading the delivery of analytics' services in continental Europe. Mr. Eagle has 16 years of experience in catastrophe and financial modelling, most recently with Aon Benfield.

Within Willis Re Analytics, Ian Cook, chief actuary international and specialty, has been appointed managing director.

Andrew Mitchell, who leads international and specialty catastrophe modelling, has also been appointed managing director.