20 juli 2011
Principal Global Investors (Europe) Ltd., a leading diversified asset management firm, announces its expansion into the Netherlands through the appointment of Jeroen van Rooij as head of institutional sales for the Benelux region, based in Amsterdam. The move will build on the success that Principal has already had in the region through servicing its existing pension fund clients.

Mr. van Rooij will be responsible for overseeing and developing Principal’s institutional business across the region, working closely with the firm’s wider global business and its boutiques. He will report in to Nick Lyster, European CEO of Principal.

Mr. Lyster commented: “Over the last six years Principal has expanded significantly into continental Europe. Jeroen’s appointment and the opening of the new office clearly underscores our commitment to one of Europe’s most important and vibrant pension markets.

“Throughout his career Jeroen has worked at a series of top tier, global investment groups and his prior experience in this region gives us a strategic advantage in building out our institutional business.”

Mr. van Rooij has previously held positions at Robeco, where he was head of institutional sales and client service for the Netherlands, the UK, Italy and Nordics; and SEI Investments where he was also tasked with opening the firm’s office in the Netherlands. In addition, he has held senior roles at ING Investment Management as head of the product specialist team, and spent eight years working in London, including for Goldman Sachs Asset Management, in a business development and client servicing role focussing on Benelux and Scandinavia.

Discussing his appointment, Mr. van Rooij said: “Principal’s position as a truly global asset manager operating a multi-boutique model will provide existing and new pension fund clients alike with access to our first rate product suite and truly global network. We see a real opportunity here and I am looking forward to realising Principal’s ambitions in this market.”