NETHERLANDS – Robeco has named Marnix Vriezen as its new chief investment officer for Europe, replacing Jaap van Duijn who is retiring.

Vriezen will continue in his role as managing director of the Robeco Asset Management business unit.

“Managing director of the business unit Robeco Asset Management, Marnix Vriezen, 35, will be appointed chief investment officer Europe, chairman of the investment policy committee and head of the investments and account management department,” said Robeco in a statement.

In effect, he will become global CIO for the Rotterdam-based firm, a spokesman said.

Vriezen takes over from 20-year Robeco veteran van Duijn on September 1. Van Duijn, 60, will also resign as a member of the executive board of Robeco Groep and as fund manager of the fund Robeco. He will stay on as chief strategist.

Van Duijn joined Robeco in 1983 and became CIO in 1988. He was previously Professor of Economics at the Graduate School of Management in Delft.

The current head of the investments and account management department, 56-year old Bas Vliegenthart, will continue to manage the fixed-income fund Rorento.

Mark Glazener will succeed van Duijn as manager of the Robeco fund.

Robeco is the asset management arm of Dutch bank Rabobank and manages around 12 billion euros in European pension fund assets.