Robeco has announced the appointment of Karin van Baardwijk as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) as of 1 January 2022. Currently deputy CEO and COO, she will succeed Gilbert Van Hassel who has served as the firm’s CEO since September 2016.
In a press release, the asset manager has revealed that Van Hassel will stay on as CEO until 31 December 2021 “in order to ensure a smooth handover”, after which he will re-locate back to the United States where he will assume a senior role for ORIX Group based in New York.
Van Baardwijk joined Robeco in 2006 and has held various positions ranging from Head of Operational Risk Management to Chief Information Officer. Having been part of its Executive Committee since 2015, she has played an important role in developing and executing the corporate strategy for 2021–2025 and has been responsible for leading several “successful transitions”.
“It is an honor to be appointed CEO. I am very excited to lead Robeco and proud to add to its long history that goes back for 90 years of serving clients. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do and I personally stand for. I look forward to further driving the strategic 2021-2025 agenda, to build on the momentum we have and to accelerate growth in all our key strengths”, Van Baardwijk said.
Meanwhile, Maarten Slendebroek, Chair of the Supervisory board, highlighted that she has shown “strong, inclusive leadership and management skills” in her current role as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and deputy CEO. In his view, her strengths in operations, technology, sustainability, relationship building, and her extensive experience within Robeco will “undoubtedly” enable her to be an “effective and respected” CEO.
“On behalf of the Supervisory Board, we thank Gilbert for laying a strong foundation, accelerating Robeco’s growth globally and for guiding Robeco to leading global positions in Sustainable Investing, Quant, Credits, Trends & Thematic and Global & Emerging Market Equities. We wish him all the best in his new role with ORIX Group”, he added.
As for Van Hassel, he claimed to be very grateful for his tenure at Robeco and to have had the opportunity to lead “such an incredibly skilled organization with so many bright and talented people”.
“Robeco is in a great place and with Karin, I have the utmost confidence that its clients are in good hands. To be able to fill this position from our own ranks underlines the strength of our organization. I am thankful for the position that ORIX Group has offered me to share my experience and to further build its global business. I also look forward to being reunited with my family”, he concluded.
Por Funds Society, Madrid