Sander van Eijkern appointed CEO of SAM

The Board of Directors of SAM appointed Sander van Eijkern (Dutch, 44) as new CEO as per January 1, 2009. Sander van Eijkern will remain a member of Robeco’s Management Board responsible for private equity, hedge funds and sustainability. He will succeed the Founder & CEO of SAM, Reto Ringger, who announced in September 2008 that he had decided to leave the company.

Mr. Van Eijkern will move from Rotterdam to Zurich. He has been managing director of Robeco Alternative Investments since its founding in 2000 and a member of the Management Board of Robeco since 1 October 2004.

In order to strengthen the leading position of SAM, Robeco is planning to shift the management of all of its sustainable and cleantech private equity activities from Rotterdam to SAM in Zurich to achieve full synergy with the SAM operations. This strengthens the global position of SAM in the field of Sustainability Investing and within Robeco Group. The move is subject to the approval of the Works Council in The Netherlands.

Dr. Albert Gnägi Chairman of the Board of Directors of SAM: “We wanted a smooth transition and continuity and for the future are looking for someone who has a track record on aggressively growing a business. Sander van Eijkern offers us that combination.”

Under leadership of Sander van Eijkern, SAM will continue its pioneering role and lead by translating sustainable foresight into innovative products and services that meet investor’s needs. SAM’s independence will maintain the Group’s ability to innovate rapidly to meet changing market demands.

Sander van Eijkern, new CEO of SAM: “I am looking forward to this opportunity and to further develop the leading platform that SAM has created. I am especially impressed by the qualification and the entrepreneurial spirit of the SAM employees. It is my ambition to further strengthen the leading position of SAM in Europe, Asia and in North America.“