Dave Schmitz Named Head of XL Group’s Global Property Risk Engineering

NEW YORK, July 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- XL Group announced today that Dave Schmitz will lead XL Group's global Property Risk Engineering Services, including XL Global Asset Protection Services, LLC (XL GAPS), a network of risk engineers who provide on-site property risk analysis and support clients' property loss prevention programs. Based in XL's Atlanta office, Mr. Schmitz reports to Michele Sansone, President, North America Property for XL Group's Insurance Operations.

With more than 25 years of experience in the insurance industry, Mr. Schmitz spent the last 16 years at Zurich Insurance where he most recently held the role of Head of Property, South Region, and previously, served for nine years as Risk Engineering Director.

"One of the most impressive things about Dave is his track record related to people, performance and project management. His leadership, strong risk engineering background and commitment to client service, along with his past experience as a line of business leader will help our Property Risk Engineering team move to the next level of performance," said Ms. Sansone.

"We're very excited to welcome Dave to XL as we believe his experience and background in both underwriting and risk engineering will help us to provide even stronger risk management support to our customers", said Ian France, Chief Underwriting Officer for International Property.  "Our Risk engineering team already plays an essential role in providing world class risk evaluation and loss prevention services to our clients and we will be working closely with Dave to enhance these services even further."

Mr. Schmitz succeeds Tim Heinze in this role. Earlier this year, Mr. Heinze took on the role of Property Operations Officer for XL Group's Insurance Operations, even as he continued to lead the Risk Engineering team while XL Group searched for his successor.

About XL Group plc's Insurance Operations

XL Group plc's insurance companies offer property, casualty, professional and specialty insurance products globally. Businesses that are moving the world forward choose XL as their partner. To learn more, visit xlgroup.com/insurance

About XL Group plc

XL Group plc (NYSE: XL), through its subsidiaries, is a global insurance and reinsurance company providing property, casualty and specialty products to industrial, commercial and professional firms, insurance companies and other enterprises throughout the world.  XL is the company clients look to for answers to their most complex risks and to help move their world forward. To learn more, visit xlgroup.com.

XL Group is the global brand used by XL Group plc's insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries.

SOURCE XL Group