Dutch asset manager Robeco, which has been put up for sale by its owner Rabobank, has re-branded its Swiss sustainable investment boutique SAM and folded its engagement and voting services into the re-branded firm, now called RobecoSAM.
RobecoSAM CEO Michael Baldinger said the rebranding “underscores the deep collaboration between the specialists in Zurich and Rotterdam as they pursue one single objective: to offer clients an all-encompassing service and product offering in the field of sustainability investing”.
The closer relationship would appear to reinforce the idea that SAM will form part of any future deal involving Robeco.
RobecoSAM’s product offering now comprises sustainable equity and bond funds; sustainable theme funds, clean growth and responsible private equity; the already mentioned engagement and voting services; and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes that it runs with S&P Dow Jones.The re-branded unit starts with €8.8bn in assets managed sustainably.
The moves come almost nine months since parent Rabobank said it was looking to sell Robeco.
“Deep collaboration between Zurich and Rotterdam”
The Dutch cooperative bank hired Deutsche Bank and J.P. Morgan to organise the sale, estimated to be worth as much as €2.5bn.
Robeco first bought into Zurich-based sustainability boutique SAM in 2006 and is currently sole owner.
Several former Robeco staff have joined other organisations recently. Senior engagement specialist Wilco van Heteren has joined environmental, social and governance research company Sustainalytics and strategist Laurens Swinkels has joined Norges Bank Investment Management. Link
If you do not receive this within five minutes, please try to sign in again. If the problem persists, please email: