To be ready for the future Incofin Investment Management has further strengthened its governing bodies. With effect from today, the company will be led by Co-CEOs Geert Peetermans and Paul Buysens. With Dina Pons joining the Management Board, Incofin also welcomes a new Managing Partner. Former CEO, Loïc De Cannière, has been appointed Chair of the Supervisory Board.
For more than a decade, the impact investment universe is experiencing tremendous growth thanks to investors’ increasing interest for transactions positively impacting our society and our planet.
Incofin Investment Management (Incofin) has been pioneering in impact investments and has been at the forefront of its development for more than 20 years. The company has built a proven track record in the financial inclusion and agri-food space across the globe.
In order to keep up with the growing sophistication and globalisation of the impact investment industry, Incofin has taken major steps to further strengthen its governing bodies and make them future proof:
- In March 2021, it converted its former limited partnership structure into a public limited company with a two-tiered governance model including a Supervisory Board and a Management Board. The new structure is up to the highest standards of good governance which can be expected of an AIFM licensed fund manager.
- A Supervisory Board with six members has been installed. Loïc De Cannière, who has been CEO of the company for the last 20 years, has been appointed Chair of the Supervisory Board.
- As from January 2022 onwards, Geert Peetermans and Paul Buysens have been promoted to Co-CEOs. A Management Board has been strengthened and has four members.
MANAGEMENT BOARD
The Management Board is the key engine, that drives the company’s operations and strategic transformation in a complex environment. Its composition reflects the company’s ambition to be led by a global, dynamic, diversified team, combining complementary skills and backgrounds. Each of the team members supervises specific operations:
Co-CEO Geert Peetermans has been Incofin IM’s Chief Investment Officer for 20 years. He has a thorough knowledge of the impact investing industry. He will supervise the company’s operations with respect to equity investments, communications and legal and compliance matters.
Co-CEO Geert Peetermans
“Incofin is coming out of these pandemic years with both strong results and fresh entrepreneurial vigour, and I am excited to be part of it with new responsibilities. We have an ambitious target to double our assets under management within the coming five years. I am confident we will succeed in delivering on this ambition because of all the amazing staff throughout our firm, who are motivated by an intrinsic passion for working in genuine impact investing.”
Co-CEO Paul Buysens has served as Chief Operating Officer since 2018, after a career with GE Capital. He will coordinate Finance, Operational Excellence and Digital, and Investor Solutions.
“I am a strong believer in shared leadership and therefore thrilled to co-lead our company with Geert, who is a pioneer in impact investing and who played a pivotal role in Incofin IM’s strong track record. We can be very grateful to our Supervisory Board who opted for a modern leadership model based on trust and empowerment which will allow us to leverage our very strong talent pool. I am also very excited to work more closely with our investors and together generate solid impact.”
Co-CEO Paul Buysens
Managing Partner David Dewez, based in Colombia, has been with Incofin IM since 2007 developing investment portfolios (Debt & Equity) in Latin America and Africa. He joined the Management Board in 2020. He will be managing the company’s debt portfolio (both financial institutions as well as agri-debt). People & Organisation and Technical Assistance functions will also be reporting directly to David. David will also continue as a Regional Director LATAM and Africa.
Dina Pons has been newly appointed as Managing Partner and invited to join the Management Board (subject to non-objection from the Belgian Financial services and markets authority). She joined Incofin in 2010. Based out of Cambodia, she has been developing Incofin IM’s Southeast Asian debt and equity portfolio and leading Incofin’s impact management strategy globally. Dina has been entrusted with the coordination of Incofin IM’s Risk, ESG and Impact management.
Next to the four Management Board members, the Partners’ team of Incofin Investment Management also includes Rita Van den Abbeel, Chief Risk Officer and Founding Partner, and Aditya Bhandari, Regional Co-Director Asia. Two new Partners have been appointed; Noémie Renier, Head of Debt for Financial Institutions and Serkan Alhan, General Counsel.
SUPERVISORY BOARD
The Supervisory Board challenges the company’s strategic business and risk choices against the background of a fast-changing environment.
Incofin IM’s General Assembly has appointed an international Supervisory Board with a broad sectoral and regional experience:
- Loïc De Cannière has been appointed Chair of the Supervisory Board. As a former CEO of Incofin, he developed a deep knowledge of the impact investment industry and has broad network among the impact investing community. He will continue to support the company’s fund development activities.
- Leen Van den Neste is CEO of vdk bank, a financial institution which promotes ethical and sustainable investments, focusing on personal advice and fair return. vdk bank is one of the founders of Incofin cvso (Belgian cooperative microfinance fund).
- Josien Sluijs is CEO of Aqua for All, an international not-for-profit organisation with head office in the Netherlands and working towards facilitating access to clean water and good sanitation for all.
- Robert Binyon, based in Bangkok, was Managing Director at CDC in charge of the Asian portfolio. He is a Board member of several Asian impact funds.
- Chris Lebeer has a strong international executive and entrepreneurial background in the manufacturing industry and professional services (including Banksys). He led several turnarounds and holds senior executive positions in various companies.
- Michiel Geers is Executive Director of Volksvermogen, an investment company with a strong foothold in financial services, venture capital and impact investments. He is Chair of Incofin cvso’s Board of Directors.
QUOTES
Geert Peetermans, Co-CEO: “Incofin is coming out of these pandemic years with both strong results and fresh entrepreneurial vigour, and I am excited to be part of it with new responsibilities. We have an ambitious target to double our assets under management within the coming five years. I am confident we will succeed in delivering on this ambition because of all the amazing staff throughout our firm, who are motivated by an intrinsic passion for working in genuine impact investing.”
Paul Buysens, Co-CEO: “I am a strong believer in shared leadership and therefore thrilled to co-lead our company with Geert, who is a pioneer in impact investing and who played a pivotal role in Incofin IM’s strong track record. We can be very grateful to our Supervisory Board who opted for a modern leadership model based on trust and empowerment which will allow us to leverage our very strong talent pool. I am also very excited to work more closely with our investors and together generate solid impact.”
Loïc De Cannière, Chair of the Supervisory Board: “I am extremely proud with the new and robust governance structure, the appointment of the Management Board members, the Co-CEOs and our committed Supervisory Board. I wish Geert and Paul good luck with their important mission. I am convinced they have the right profile to lead Incofin IM through the next cycle. The company is well equipped to be innovative and relevant in the impact industry. This is how we will contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals. We also welcome further gender balance in the new governance structure, reaffirming our commitment to bring gender equality forward at all levels of our activities and our actions.”
Dina Pons, new Managing Partner: “I joined Incofin 11 years ago, attracted by its founders’ vision to use investments to promote global inclusive progress. Today, I am thrilled and honoured to be joining the Managing Board, surrounded by so many talented and likeminded colleagues. Incofin is known for its transparency, genuine care for its investees, uncompromised risk assessment, and pioneer impact assessment in each investment decision we make. I am determined to continue protecting this approach and making our brand even stronger.”
Noémie Renier, Partner and Head of Debt for Financial Institutions: “I am very honoured to be invited to become a Partner. I am determined to expand further our financial inclusion franchise as a key pillar of Incofin’s strategy contributing to sustainable development.”
Serkan Alhan, Partner and General Counsel: “Giving Noémie and myself this opportunity is a testimony to Incofin’s desire to promote inclusive progress and shared leadership. I am very excited and look forward to contributing to our mission in making positive impact.”
