Unitymedia CEO Schüler appointed Virgin Media COO

LONDON (Reuters) - Liberty Global (LBTYA.O) said Lutz Schüler, chief executive of its German operation Unitymedia, would become chief operating officer of its British brand Virgin Media in September.

Schüler said he will work alongside Virgin Media Chief Executive Tom Mockridge in his new role, which had been filled on an interim basis by Jeff Dodds and Neil Bartholomew since March.

Liberty Global agreed in May to sell its operations in Germany, as well as in three other Eastern European markets, to Vodafone (VOD.L).

A report in the Daily Telegraph newspaper last month said Liberty was looking to appoint a new chief operating officer at Virgin, with a view to finding a successor to Mockridge when he is expected to stand down next year.

Schüler's role at Unitymedia will be filled by current Chief Financial Officer Winfried Rapp, Liberty said.

(Reporting by Paul Sandle; editing by Stephen Addison)