Investment management firm Neuberger Berman announced today that it has hired seven global equity investment professionals from Netherlands-based asset manager NN Investment Partners (NN IP). According to Neuberger Berman, the group managed over $10 billion at NN IP, and have been early practitioners of ESG investing with deep expertise incorporating ESG risk factors into their investment approach. The group consists of three senior portfolio managers and four research analysts.

George Walker, CEO, Neuberger Berman, said:

“Enhancing our global investment capabilities has consistently been one of the firm’s top strategic initiatives. Over the last seven-plus years, we have added over 230 investment professionals, including teams managing emerging market debt, European fixed income, real estate private equity, Japanese small-mid caps, China A shares and more. We are delighted these well-regarded global equity investors have chosen Neuberger Berman and I am confident that they will enhance our culture of fundamental investing and partnering with clients.”

The three senior portfolio managers are Hendrik-Jan Boer, Alex Zuiderwijk and Jeroen Brand. For the past 16 years, Boer has served as the lead portfolio manager of NN IP’s global and European sustainable equity strategies. Brand has been a Senior Portfolio Manager Sustainable Equity Strategies at NN IP since 2015, and Zuiderwijk has been Portfolio Manager Sustainable Equity at the firm since 2013. The four research analysts joining Neuberger Berman are Philip Chau, Alex Kushev, Camiel Mulders and Mark van der Geest.

Boer said:

“Neuberger Berman’s sole focus on investment management, alignment with clients, independence and stability were important factors in our decision to join this global firm.”

According to Neuberger Berman, the team seeks to invest in high quality companies with resilient business models capable of maintaining high returns on invested capital and sustainable growth, utilizing a bottom-up research approach with an emphasis on value chain economics and long-term trends. The team approaches ESG integration with a focus on materiality, momentum and engagement.

Joseph Amato, President and Chief Investment Officer, Equities at Neuberger Berman, said:

“Our new global equity team enables us to offer a top performing investment capability with a strong ESG and Sustainable focus.”