Bouwfonds Asset Management will officially open new offices in Paris on 20 February 2008. The offices are registered under the name of Rabo Bouwfonds REIM France SAS and will initially focus on the acquisition and management of housing portfolios. At a later stage, retail funds and special products will also be set up from the French offices for private and institutional investors.
Rabo Bouwfonds REIM France SAS will be under the direction of Patrice Rossard, who boasts more than 25 years’ experience in the property sector. He has held various management positions, including head of the property investment department at Caisse des Dépôts.
There are various factors underpinning the establishment of an investment management organisation in France. For example, the French investment management climate is favourable due to the considerable market volume and the high level of transparency. Furthermore, there are many synergy opportunities with the local affiliated companies Bouwfonds Marignan Immobilier, Bouwfonds MAB and other divisions of the Rabobank Group, such as Robeco and Rabobank International.