NETHERLANDS - Frans Ballendux, the former business leader of Mercer Investment Consulting in the Netherlands, is starting his own investment consultancy business.

Mercer appointed PGGM's Marjolein Sol to replace Ballendux in August last year, "in anticipation of his retirement in a few years time".

Ballendux, who joined the firm from Mees-Pierson in 1997, had remained with Mercer in Amsterdam, though IPE has learnt he has now decided to launch his own consultancy firm, Ballendux Consult.

Frans Ballendux, was appointed to join a new senior management team for the practice in 2003, leading the Mercer's continental European manager ratings group.

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