Coos Luning has joined PGB Pensioendiensten
This article was originally written in Dutch. This is an English translation
PGB Pensioendiensten has appointed Coos Luning as Head of Fiduciary Management. In this role, he will oversee the implementation of balance sheet management and the day-to-day management of fiduciary services.
Congratulations on your new role. How are you finding your new position?
‘Very well! I’ve felt very much at home here right from day one. The organisation is characterised by a positive atmosphere, there’s a wealth of knowledge here, and there’s a great ambition to grow!’
Which aspects of your role are already energising you?
‘PGB is keen to do things properly and really shows that. There’s a lot of work to be done to ensure the investment portfolio has a positive impact on the themes the fund has chosen to focus on. The board has made clear decisions and it’s now up to the operational team to take these forward. This creates an extra sense of dynamism that immediately gives you a lot of energy.’
What was your very first (holiday) job and what did you learn from it?
‘I always worked a lot during my school and university days. Working in supermarkets and the hospitality industry laid the foundations for dealing with customers. That was a truly valuable learning experience. Being service-minded is a skill that, in my view, everyone could do with. The nice thing is that I’m now seeing it again in my own school-age children. They have similar part-time jobs. They’re clocking up plenty of hours and gaining plenty of experience washing up, serving and in the kitchen.
How and when did you first come into contact with PGB Pensioendiensten?
‘In the autumn, I had discussions with the fund’s board and the management of PGB Pensioendiensten. They were seeking expertise in the field of manager selection. Ultimately, this led to two new roles within the Balance Sheet Management team. My colleague Jelle Beenen recently started as Head of Fiduciary Advice. I have started as Head of Fiduciary Management.’
What do you hope to achieve in your role as Head of Fiduciary Management?
‘In my new role, I oversee the implementation of asset management. This includes manager selection, portfolio construction, day-to-day adjustments and the internally managed credit and matching mandate. Many aspects are already in good order, but there is much to be done to translate the stated ambition for impact investing into actual investments. I see finding suitable managers or funds, assessing them, and building a strong portfolio for the longer term with the team as a key part of the remit.’
What is the most important thing you learnt in your previous job, and how are you applying that to this new role?
‘A great deal has happened in the financial markets over the past 25 years. The most important lesson is that even scenarios that are difficult to imagine can indeed occur. The 2008 crisis is a very good example of this. That insight is important for your risk management: basing your judgement less on probability calculations and more on ‘what if’ scenarios. This is, and remains, hugely important when selecting new investments too. Naturally, it’s good to minimise the likelihood of something negative happening, but it’s just as important to ask what you’ll do if it does happen, and to prepare yourself for that.’
What are your personal ambitions?
‘I’m not really one for bucket lists. So I don’t have any ambitions to run a marathon or travel round the world. Health is a precious commodity. You shouldn’t neglect anything you can do yourself to maintain it. I exercise quite a lot to ensure I’m doing at least what I can to contribute to that. But all of this is purely for fun!’