Osmosis Investment Management NL – Ex Robeco CIO Victor Verberk partners with sustainable specialist
Subject to regulatory approval from the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM)* the new Dutch asset manager plans to launch later this year under the leadership of Victor Verberk. Victor worked at Robeco for over 16 years and was the firm’s CIO of Fixed Income and Sustainability until December 2023. Together with his team, he helped build the first global Paris aligned climate funds and SDG driven strategies.
Victor Verberk and Osmosis CEO, Ben Dear, share a common vision and philosophy which seeks to address both the risks and opportunities that investors face as the world transitions to a more sustainable economy.
Victor and other key investment professionals will hold a majority interest in the new entity while Osmosis Holdings Limited, the Oxford Endowment Fund, and Australia’s Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation (CSC) will own a significant minority share.
Operating under the Osmosis brand, the businesses will leverage their sustainable IP and resources to offer investors competitive and sustainably focused investment solutions across both equities and credit. Subject to regulatory approvals, Osmosis seeks to launch both an investment-grade fund and a high yield fund in the first year of trading.
London-based Osmosis Holdings Limited is backed by institutional shareholders including the Oxford Endowment Fund, managed by Oxford University Endowment Management. Osmosis has witnessed significant growth in the last three years as its innovative approach, which seeks superior risk-adjusted returns while offering significantly reduced environmental footprints relative to benchmarks, has seen the firm’s assets under management grow by 478% (79% year-on-year) to circa $18 billion.**
When asked about the new venture Victor Verberk commented:
“Launching a new fixed income asset manager in the Netherlands is an incredibly exciting opportunity. With the support of our institutional shareholders this venture will be a scale-up rather than a start-up and will leverage the brand, combined distribution networks and sustainable expertise of our sister company Osmosis Investment Management UK.“
He added
“By putting sustainable and technological innovation at the core of the firm, we seek to lead a new age of asset management, one which will embrace different data sources and take advantage of artificial intelligence and automation to dramatically reduce costs for our clients.”
Ben Dear, CEO of Osmosis Investment Management said:
“Osmosis has long held the ambition to develop cross asset sustainability orientated investment products. Through this exciting new partnership with Victor, and the continued trust of our long-standing client the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation and our shareholder, the Oxford Endowment Fund, we look forward to the launch of Osmosis NL’ s fixed income business. Contrary to many peers that are reducing activity, headcount and commitment to sustainable investment we are seeing increased demand for our specialist research and investment expertise. And despite political rhetoric acting as headwinds, we believe that doubling down on our commitment is essential; political winds are transitory, but without accelerated activity the climate impact will be permanent.”
Sandra Robertson, CEO of Oxford University Endowment Management, said:
“We are pleased to continue our support for Osmosis as it expands into the Netherlands under the leadership of Victor Verberk. We have been long-term supporters of Osmosis and their investment philosophy, which places sustainability at the core of their approach. This aligns with our strategy of backing forward-thinking investments that drive resource efficiency and sustainable solutions.”
Alison Tarditi, CIO, Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation said:
“We are in the business of building, supporting and growing deeply talented and future- fit asset managers that bring innovative solutions to life. Asset managers that are market-leading, thoughtful in their value proposition, crisp in their purpose, agile in risk-management, and capable of manufacturing the types of sustainable net return streams that our customers need. We are energised by our partnership with Osmosis NL and excited about the launch of their compelling investment proposition.”
About Victor Verberk
Victor has been at the helm of investment teams over many years, managing and successfully navigating many crises. Throughout these years Victor was known for his strong performance record and for driving innovation through sustainable product development, including the first global Paris aligned climate funds and a range of SDG driven strategies. Victor built one of the world’s best sustainability centers and was a member of Cambridge CISL. Victor sees the opportunity to combine this experience in a Transition manager, as described in his recent book “Bias.”
About Ben Dear
Ben founded Osmosis following the financial crisis of 2008 believing there was an opportunity to change the way capital is allocated as a force for good. With the intent of growing a globally recognised brand, Ben sought a sustainable investment solution that would work for the economy and the environment and thus encourage mainstream adoption. One of the first advocates of a quantifiable approach to sustainable investment, Ben is a regular speaker and panelist on the role of environmental data in the sustainable transition.
About Osmosis
Osmosis currently manages ~ $18bn (as of February 20, 2025) in sustainable assets and is headquartered in London, with a growing global presence. Backed by institutional shareholders including the Oxford Endowment Fund, Capricorn Investment Group and Nikko Asset Management, Osmosis believes that targeting better risk-adjusted returns and delivering significant environmental impact do not need to be mutually exclusive endeavours. Through its innovative Model of Resource Efficiency, Osmosis has demonstrated that sustainability metrics, if quantifiable and objective in nature, can be applied to mainstream equity portfolios to generate alpha.
*Osmosis Investment Management NL B.V. has applied for a license with the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) as alternative investment fund manager and provider of discretionary portfolio management services, which is currently in process with the AFM.
** Assets under management and advisory as of 31 December 2024.
About Oxford University Endowment Management
Oxford University Endowment Management (OUem) is an investment manager which manages approximately £6.5bn on behalf of a range of charitable investors, including the University of Oxford and many of its colleges. OUem is wholly owned by the University of Oxford and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
About CSC
Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation (CSC) has over 100 years’ experience in providing superannuation services to employees of the Australian Government and members of the Australian Defence Force. CSC’s mission is to be a trusted and valued partner who achieves long-term investment objectives, guides informed retirement decisions, and gives their members peace of mind that their families and futures are in safe hands.
Important Information
This press release is issued by Osmosis (Holdings) Limited, a London-based investment management group. Osmosis Investment Management UK Ltd (“Osmosis UK”), Osmosis Investment Management US LLC (“Osmosis US”) and Osmosis Investment management (Australia) Pty Ltd (“Osmosis AUS”) are wholly owned subsidiaries of Osmosis (Holdings) Limited (“OHL”). Osmosis UK is regulated in the UK by the FCA. Osmosis US is a registered investor advisor with the SEC in the US and Osmosis AUS is a corporate authorised representative of Eminence Global Asset Management Pty Ltd (AFSL 305573). Registration with the SEC does not imply any level of skill or training.
For more information, please contact [email protected]