We aim to be more visible in Asia. To support that, we will open an office in Singapore, says Tobias Sonndorfer, CEO a Chairman of VIG Re
- May 7
- 4 min read
Leading European reinsurer VIG Re has announced its new three-year strategy, VIGRe28, outlining its priorities and direction for the coming period. Tobias Sonndorfer, CEO and Chairman of the company, appeared on the Global Minds podcast to explain. „In our business it´s all about consistency. We want to be a predictable, consistent reinsurer. That´s why we launched the strategy at the beginning of 2026 to enable our existing and possible new clients to get acquainted with it,” he says in the podcast which features top international executives influencing business in the Czech Republic.
You can also listen to the full interview at THIS link.
Sonndorfer sums up the objectives of the new strategy with the slogan “Momentum that matters.” “Our aim is to create meaningful momentum together with our clients - both existing and new,” he says. “We want to move VIG Re closer to our clients, because the client is always at the centre of our thinking.”
From Sonndorfer’s perspective, these changes are evolutionary rather than revolutionary. According to him, VIG Re has developed organically over the past decade, and this is just the latest step in that process. „We continue to play the same game, but on a bit broader playground, “ he adds.
Without subculture
The three main pillars of the new strategy are Strengthen, Expand, and Accelerate. Sonndorfer notes that VIG Re is already a pan-European company with a presence in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. „Geographical expansion embedded in VIGRe28 is that we now would want to be a visible reinsurer across Asia. We will support this by opening an office in Singapore,“ he announces the opening of fourth VIG Re office, joining those in Prague, Munich, and Paris, thereby signalling where he sees the epicentre of future growth.
According to Sonndorfer, this expansion will also transform the role of management at the company. The plan includes recruiting new team members in Asia, which will bring a new cultural dimension to the company. „We already have representatives of 40 nationalities working at VIG Re, and this will now expand even further. Our three existing European offices are close to one another both geographically and culturally. We must proceed with caution when recruiting in Asia because we want to remain #onevigre. We do not want to see the emergence of a subculture or a company within a company. Clients must be able to recognize VIG Re no matter where in the world they are,” he says.
Entering a new continent could be a real test of the management style Sonndorfer uses to run the reinsurance company. However, the CEO of VIG Re is confident that he is using a universal approach. „My leadership philosophy is embedded in a belief in the strength of human beings. I´m always trying to create an environment where every employee can develop and show his or hers strength,” he says, noting that it is not always easy to highlight subordinates’ strengths rather than pointing out their shortcomings.
Not “Or”, but “And”: Why Acceleration Needs Both Technology and People
Building on the strengths of its people, the discussion returned to one of the strategy’s key pillars: Strengthen. According to Sonndorfer, this pillar underlines VIG Re’s ambition to further reinforce its position as a reliable continental reinsurer. “We explicitly state our intention to deepen relationships and remain strongly anchored in Europe,” he says. “This is about becoming even stronger in what we already do well.”
The third pillar, Accelerate, is a widely discussed topic in today’s business environment, particularly in the financial sector. Whether related to technology or people, Sonndorfer is clear that this is not a question of choosing one over the other. “There is no room for the word ‘or’ here — it has to be ‘and’,” he says. “We see the rise of AI and the unique technological opportunities it brings, and we want to use them for our business. At the same time, we firmly believe in the strength of people, because reinsurance is a people business.”
Acceleration, he adds, means combining data and technology on the one hand with a strong culture and engaged people on the other.
Clear direction, flexible execution
As an insurer of insurers, a reinsurance company has a distinct role, yet it faces many of the same risks as primary insurers. According to Sonndorfer, today’s environment makes it virtually impossible to anticipate and plan for every potential risk.
“What we try to do instead is to be very clear about our direction of travel and the core beliefs that guide us,” he explains. “That means putting clients at the centre of everything we do, not growing for the sake of growth, but acting as a disciplined underwriter, being technically sound, and using data and technology to support our decisions. It also means engaging with our clients on an equal footing — discussing real problems and real risk situations.”
This clarity of purpose, he notes, is a central conviction embedded in the VIGRe28 strategy.
According to the podcast guest, it is precisely this combination of a clearly defined direction and the ability to respond flexibly and agilely to change that creates a sustainable path to success.
Which risks does the podcast guest currently see as most critical for insurance and reinsurance companies? How challenging is it to design insurance models in a rapidly changing environment shaped by new products and services? And where does he see competitive strengths in today’s market? These topics are also explored in the Global Minds podcast.
