Robeco Eyes Worldwide Expansion; Eyes Japan Buys, Mulls Singapore Office

Tom Burroughes

24 March 2014

Netherlands-based financial services group Robeco is considering creating opening an office in Singapore as part of a global expansion strategy, the firm, which oversees €205 billion ($283.1 billion) of assets and is now under the majority ownership of Tokyo-headquartered ORIX, has announced.

Under a strategy for the years 2014 to 2018, the focus will be on Asia, the US and Europe, said in a statement.

“Growth is expected to come from existing and new activities expanding from Robeco’s current base. Robeco expects to exceed an AuM level of EUR 300 billion in 2018 from organic growth. During this period Robeco and ORIX will also look for acquisition opportunities,” it said.

In Japan, besides looking for suitable acquisition opportunities, Robeco is further developing its sales set up and leveraging on the ORIX network, the firm continued.

“In addition to the current sales offices in Asia, Robeco is considering the opening of an office in Singapore with a focus on sovereign wealth funds and key accounts. The investment capabilities based in Asia will continue to focus on Asia Pacific Equities, but Robeco also has the ambition to expand into Asian fixed income,” it said.

In the US, Robeco said it expects strong growth of its subsidiary Robeco Investment Management by focusing on the strength of RIM as a value equities manager.

“In addition to fostering growth at its subsidiary Harbor Capital Advisors, Robeco will also strengthen the distribution of Robeco products in the US,” it said.

To support, ORIX and Robeco are looking at the idea of adjusting Robeco’s corporate structure, such as by setting up a new holding company.

Scale up in Europe
The firm said it will expand European sales by adding further resources to existing sales offices and setting up an office in the UK focusing on key account management, consultant relations and the UK institutional market.

In Europe, Robeco expects to realise growth with its quant capabilities, pension solutions and sustainability integration.

Robeco’s activities in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, will remain unchanged and Robeco will move to its new Rotterdam offices in 2016 as announced earlier, it added.