Marlies van Boven: 'The intersection of substance and collaboration motivates me'
This article was originally written in Dutch. This is an English translation
Marlies van Boven has moved from Auréus to Van Lanschot Kempen. In this new phase, the link between subject-matter expertise and collaboration is central. In this interview, she talks about her professional development and the role that both aspects play in her work.
Congratulations on this new step in your career. How are you getting on in your new role?
‘Very well. I was given a warm welcome right from the start and quickly felt at home within a strong team. This role feels like a natural next step after more than 25 years of international experience in investment management and my time at the Auréus family office. In my current role, I’m even closer to the decision-making and execution, and it’s precisely that combination of substance, client contact and collaboration that appeals to me enormously.’
Which aspects of your role are already energising you?
‘Interacting with clients and working collaboratively give me a lot of energy. The pension sector is in the midst of a major transition, which creates dynamic and complex challenges. It is precisely the intersection of substance and collaboration that really motivates me.’
What was your very first (holiday) job and what did you learn from it?
‘I grew up in a family business in the home furnishings retail sector, and my first “job” began whilst I was still at primary school. On Saturdays, I used to serve coffee to customers, and as a teenager I helped out in the shop. My parents worked six days a week, and on the seventh day, the business was often still the topic of conversation at home. I was instilled with that work ethic from a young age. At the same time, I learnt how important customer focus, responsibility and trust are.’
How and when did you first come into contact with Van Lanschot Kempen?
‘After my time in London, I started networking actively, looking for a role that really suited me. During that period, I joined Auréus and also came into contact with Van Lanschot Kempen. Working in a family office context was a deliberate step that broadened my horizons, with a greater focus on wealth structuring and estate planning for entrepreneurial families. I immediately felt at ease with the team at Van Lanschot Kempen. Their energy and drive really appealed to me.’
What do you hope to achieve there as a Fiduciary Manager?
‘For me, the client is central. Through my international experience in asset management, I’ve learnt how important it is to take an integrated approach to strategy, risk and execution. I want to use that experience to support pension funds as a sparring partner on complex issues and robust long-term decisions.’
What is the most important thing you’ve learnt in your previous roles, and how will you apply that to this new role?
‘I started out in London in the late 1990s, just before the dot-com bubble burst. In roles such as Head of Investment Process and hedge fund manager, I learnt a great deal about trading strategies, risk management and the psychology of fund managers during stressful periods. As a portfolio manager, I experienced the financial crisis at first hand, a period in which difficult decisions had to be made under intense pressure. These experiences have taught me how important it is to remain calm and rational, particularly during periods of exceptional market stress.’
What are your personal ambitions?
‘I don’t really have a bucket list anymore. I’ve seen a lot of the world and travelling has broadened my horizons enormously. If there’s anything left on my list, it’s mainly to give my sons the same opportunity to discover the world.
Sport and health are a constant theme in my life. Tennis remains my sport of choice, and I’ve also discovered the benefits of weight training and mindful eating – whilst still maintaining my passion for good food!
After years of working and living abroad, I think it’s important to continue making time for my international friendships.’
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