Supervisory Board Member ABN AMRO Investment Solutions

ABN AMRO Bank N.V.

17-02-2025 2025-00005

About AAIS
ABN AMRO Investment Solutions S.A. (AAIS) is a regulated Asset Management company (UCITS & FIA) specialized in building and distributing investment solutions and digital services based on Open Architecture principles (i.e. portfolios and strategies not managed by ABN AMRO resources). As of December 2022, AAIS manages 18.5bn of assets.

AAIS operates 3 fund platforms (Luxembourg, the Netherlands and France), relies on 85 professionals located in three countries, and runs the full operating model of an asset management company (portfolio management, risk and performance management, reporting). AAIS works alongside third-party distributors of retail- & private banking clients and Institutional clients in The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany and other European countries. As a pioneer in multi-management since 1998 and ranked #6 European Sub-Advisor, AAIS sources high quality investment managers globally (looking for sustainable boutiques) to make them available to the European market. Committed to Sustainability, AAIS covers all traditional asset classes and some alternative ones accessible via single manager or multimanager funds. Also, AAIS provides Outsourced CIO/Fiduciary Management services and support distributors in optimizing their investment value chain and in managing their open architecture.

AAIS is Paris based and managed by a Management Board, consisting of 3 members: a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Investment Officer (CIO) and a Chief Operating Officer (COO). ABN AMRO Bank N.V. (ABN AMRO) is the sole shareholder of AAIS.

Your job
AAIS’s Management Board works under the guidance of a Supervisory Board. The articles of association state that this Supervisory Board consists of minimum 3 and up to a maximum of 12 members. Currently, the Supervisory Board consists of 5 members. Due to the upcoming expiry of the term of one of the Supervisory Board members, we are looking for a new member for the Supervisory Board for a term of three years. After expiry of this term, you will be eligible for reappointment. Reappointment is not automatic, but also depends on your performance and the principles regarding a diverse composition of the Supervisory Board. . The expected time expenditure for the function of member of the Supervisory Board may change from time to time, but will be on average 8-10 days per year, taking into account the need to devote sufficient time for induction and training.
Duties and responsibilities

In your role as Supervisory Board Member you are responsible for:

Supervising the policy of the Managing Board and the general course of events in AAIS and the business connected with it. In addition, the Supervisory Board assists the Managing Board by providing advice. In performing their duties, the members of the Supervisory Board are guided by the interests of the AAIS and the group to which it belongs.
Supervising, advising, monitoring, challenging and supporting the Management Board in the exercise of its powers and duties, taking into account the dynamics and the relationship between the Management Board and its members and while preserving the respective statutory tasks and responsibilities in compliance with applicable law and regulations, articles of association and the applicable rules of procedure.
Supervising risks and compliance with the provisions of applicable law and regulations, articles of association, and the applicable rules of procedure.
Ensuring and periodically assessing the effectiveness of AAIS’s internal governance framework and take appropriate steps to address any identified deficiencies;
Overseeing and monitoring AAIS’s strategic objectives, organizational structure and risk strategy, including its risk appetite and risk management framework, as well as other policies (e.g. remuneration policy) and the implementation of the disclosure;
Oversee the integrity of financial information and reporting, and the internal control framework, including an effective and sound risk management framework.

Requirements

All members of the Supervisory Board must at all times be fit and proper for their position. Fitness consists of knowledge, competences and professional conduct. To this end, an internal suitability analysis will take place upon your nomination.
In view of the wide variety of subjects with which AAIS must deal in conducting its business, the Supervisory Board should collectively have adequate collective knowledge, skills and experience and understanding of the following matters:
- the business (products, services and markets in which AAIS operates) and main risks;
- each of the material activities of AAIS;
- strategic management, including strategy development, implementation, adjustment and internal governance;
- the legal affairs and regulatory environment;
- compliance with and maintenance of generally accepted social, ethical and professional standards;
- controlled and sound business operations, including accounting organization and internal (operational) control and financial reporting, internal business operations, risk and cost management, compliance and internal audit, safeguarding suitability and professional skills within AAIS and the group to which it belongs, sustainability and corporate social responsibility, diligent treatment of customers, remuneration policy and pay structures compliance and outsourcing);
- information technology and security;
- solid knowledge of the social positions of AAIS and the group to which it belongs;
- balanced and consistent decision-making, with a central role for the interests of the stakeholders of AAIS.
Diversity within the Supervisory Board leads to a broader range of experience, knowledge, skills and values, and is one of the factors that enhances the functioning of the Supervisory Board. It can reduce the phenomenon of groupthink and facilitate independent opinions and constructive challenging in the process of decision-making. Therefore, AAIS aims for a diverse composition of the Supervisory Board, in terms of educational and professional background, age, gender and geographical provenance.

Key challenges and desired outcomes
Key challenges
There are various important challenges and developments in the asset management environment. Noting that since 2008, the global revenue pool for asset management is growing at 7% p.a. and is expected to continue to grow although at more modest pace (5% p.a.) driven by alternatives, multi asset and passive investments. Moreover, the absolute cost growth has been fueled by investments in Technology and growth in overall variable compensation. This has implications for the business model of AAIS in its future development. Still, the main challenges that remain are:

Further development of external sales through third party distribution which will diversify income/revenue base
The relationship with ABN AMRO Bank; AAB remains an important client (75%) therefore taking the end-client into perspective and in the decision-making relevant to the North-Western European Consumer, Affluent, and Wealthy client segments.

Desired outcomes
Awareness of the developments in the asset management environment and (changing) role regarding clients. Therefore the desired outcomes include:

Commercial experience and advice on building out a healthy and sustainable third party distribution
Good relationship with the parent ABN AMRO while offering competitive products in the market and aware of the needs and requirements of the end client

Key relationships
There are various relationships and stakeholders in the field; these include

ABN AMRO Bank
External third parties
Regulatory bodies including French asset management supervisory, AMF, AFM, amongst others.

Your profile
Ideal knowledge and experience

15 to 20 years minimum experience in investments (fund management related activities), ideally within a regulated Asset Management company.
Certified non-executive board member (to fulfil the role of supervisory board member)
Experience in supervisory board role
Extensive experience working in Financial Services.
Knowledge in Sub-advisory and Multimanager would be a plus.
Experience in sales & business development
Used to a fair decision making process and business activities oversight.
Background in Small and Medium Companies management would be a plus.
Skills in technologies, Merger and Acquisitions and implementation of international growth would be appreciated.
Familiarity with the regulation impacting Asset Managers (AML/CFT – SFDR – MIFID2 – UCITS – AIFMD)
Ability to define ESG risks, be aware of relevant laws and regulations and of reporting obligations and must be able to identify and monitor them.
Knowledge and experience with innovation and digitization is a plus.
Experience with working in a complex governance structure.
English language is mandatory

Ideal competences

ability to take a helicopter view and show good judgement, including weighing information and possible courses of action in order to reach a logical conclusion and studying, recognizing and understanding essential elements and issues;
sensitivity to surroundings, including focus on (international) financial services and ability to pick up signals from within the organization and society;
ability to maintain an open relationship and constructive dialogue with and to support and advise the Management Board;
ability to be assertive and confrontational;
ability to effectively challenge and monitor decisions made by the Management Board;
ability to make own sound objective and independent decisions and judgements;
steadfastness, through the adoption of a constructive but critical attitude;
ability to challenge each other critically, leading to constructive and good discussions;
contemplative, resolute and reflective;
good communication skills;
act with honesty, integrity and independence of mind;
being of good repute;

Leadership attributes

Encourages and empowers teams to challenge the status quo and experiment
Leads change, by communicating explicitly what must change, why changes is necessary, and what desired outcomes will be
Being mindful as a leader and how to show up for my team and adjust communication style to different audiences
Deals with ambiguity by effectively setting priorities, balancing the short and the long term

Collaborating and Influencing

Engages in a dialogue and wins the hearts and minds of individuals and teams. Invites and uses the opinions and perspectives of others
Anticipates impact of words and actions, preparing for possible resistance and responding in an appropriate way.
Checks with both sides of a discussion to ensure a common understanding.
Takes initiative to maintain contacts both inside and outside the bank.
Entrepreneurial mindset, focused on results and capable of shaping a path to long-term sustainable growth, even / especially in challenging circumstances

Leading People

Brings a vision and clear strategy, aligned to ABN AMRO’s purpose and strategy within the area of responsibility
Mobilizes teams to collaborate, enable execution and get the right results
Delegates roles thoughtfully to free self to work at a more strategic level.
Encourages and motivates team to establish clear, challenging performance goals and metrics for the year.
Periodically reviews team progress against plans, focuses attention beyond the project to the full year or more.

Other personal characteristics

Role model to our values: care, collaboration and courage
Strong execution capability
Natural relationship builder who strives for constructive cross department collaboration

The procedure
ABN AMRO Investment Solutions is guided in this search and selection procedure by Josephine van der Vossen and Ingrid Reichmann of Partners at Work. They will conduct initial in-depth interviews with potentially suitable candidates. Subsequently, the most suitable candidates are invited for the selection interview(s). Selected candidates will then be invited for various introductory meetings with other stakeholders, such as representatives of ABN AMRO. Reference verification can be part of the selection.

The interviews take place on March 24th and March 31st.

Please show your interest in this position and upload your CV and motivation via: SOLLICITEER

For further information, please contact Josephine van der Vossen or Ingrid Reichmann via:
035 – 548 0760

Solliciteer