Jacob de Wit was named head of institutional for the Netherlands and Nordics at BlackRock.
The position is new. De Wit will start Sept. 30, a spokesperson said.
Money management giant BlackRock, with a total $10.65 trillion in assets under management, has about €300 billion ($332.5 billion) in institutional AUM in the Netherlands and Nordics.
Amsterdam-based de Wit will work closely with Geert-Jan Troost, head of institutional for the Netherlands, and Jon Valdelin, head of institutional for the Nordic region.
“This appointment reflects the strong growth of our institutional business in these markets coupled with increasingly complex, strategic client relationships,” said Anne Parthiot-Mons, managing director, head of Europe and Africa institutional and global co-head of consultant relations, in a news release. “Jacob’s leadership skills, broad network and proven experience will be very important in supporting our clients as their needs evolve, including the transition from DB to DC in the Netherlands, growing adoption of ETFs and private assets, whole portfolio solutions and sustainable investing. The expansion of our existing experienced senior leadership team will help ensure we continue to successfully execute on our growth ambitions in these markets.”
The Dutch retirement market is undergoing a huge transition to a defined contribution model from defined benefit.
“Jacob’s appointment is a signal of our determination to ensuring our Dutch institutional clients get the best that BlackRock has to offer and ensure that we continue to successfully support our pension fund clients during the upcoming transition,” said Monique Donders, country head for the Netherlands, in the same news release.
De Wit had been divisional chair for Achmea Investment Management since February 2016. The €194 billion money manager appointed Maureen Schlejen as his replacement, a spokesperson said.
