The Cardano Group, a pensions advisory and investment management firm, has completed the acquisition of Athora Netherlands’ sustainable investing specialist ACTIAM. The deal was first agreed upon in October 2021 and has since received regulatory approval.
ACTIAM is a Dutch asset management firm that manages more than £18.5 billion in assets and has nearly 30 years of experience in sustainable investing. According to PRI, it focuses on impact investing, particularly in microfinance and SME finance, and launched its first impact investment fund in 2007.
Cardano says that the acquisition significantly improves its service offerings, particularly in the areas of investment funds, corporate sustainability analysis, and ESG advice. Cardano says the deal will enable it to provide best-in-class sustainable equity and fixed income portfolios in both the active and passive markets, as well as in-house sustainable stewardship. Cardano now manages more than £50 billion in assets and employs over 500 people across its advisory, investment management, and DC businesses in the UK and the Netherlands.
With the completion of the acquisition, Harold Naus takes over as CEO of ACTIAM while also remaining in charge of the Cardano Netherlands organisation. The new ACTIAM board of directors, which includes CEO Harold Naus, CIO Hilde Veelaert, CFRO Marc Strijbos, and COO Jorg Sunderman, will consider the combined company’s long-term strategy.
Cardano CEO Michael de Lathauwer says: “With the acquisition of ACTIAM now completed, we’re looking forward to the next phase of growth for the Cardano Group as an enlarged business. Our new colleagues bring a wealth of talent and experience and give our clients access to a broadened advisory and asset management proposition. This deal is an important milestone in realising our ambition to offer the best-in-class sustainable solutions that maximise financial and social returns to pension funds and other long-term investors.”
