PensionDanmark’s chief investment officer for more than 23 years, Claus Stampe, is to retire in February, the €53bn Danish labour market pension fund has announced.
Stampe became CIO in 2003 when he moved from the Danish Doctors’ Pension Fund (Lægernes Pension), where he had held the same job title.
The CIO said that having turned 65 earlier this year, he now wanted more time for his interests outside work.
Stampe said: “At the same time, I am leaving behind a strong and well-functioning investment function that is well equipped for the future. That is why the decision and the timing feel right to me.”
Stampe has been a member of PensionDanmark’s executive board since 2024, alongside chief executive officer Peter Stensgaard Mørch, who took over from the pension fund’s long-time CEO Torben Möger Pedersen two years ago.
Stensgaard Mørch praised Stampe, saying he had ensured “one of the industry’s best and most robust returns” for scheme members, created the industry’s strongest investment team and contributed to the development of PensionDanmark across the board.
“I personally could not have imagined a better sparring partner,” the CEO said.
PensionDanmark said it would start the process of recruiting a new CIO as soon as possible.
Commenting on the timing of his retirement, Stampe said: “Although I have been in the industry for many years, I cannot remember a more exciting and unpredictable period than the one we are in now.
“Geopolitical tensions and rapid technological development will undoubtedly have a major impact on future developments in the economy and financial markets,” he said, adding that this meant he was looking forward to a busy few months until the end of January.
Before joining Lægernes Pension, Stampe was an economist and portfolio manager at the now defunct Lannung Bank.
