Key Takeaways
- • CBRE Investment Management appointed Ben van den Tol as Director of Client Solutions, based in London, to lead Defined Contribution (DC) pension solutions across the UK market.
- • Van den Tol brings over 15 years of institutional investment experience, including prior roles as Business Development Director at Carne Group leading UK DC strategy and Head of Institutional Business at Investors Mutual in Sydney.
- • The hire reflects CBRE IM's strategic focus on the UK Defined Contribution channel, where regulatory and structural shifts are accelerating adoption of private market strategies among DC pension savers.
- • Van den Tol will design and deliver bespoke real asset solutions combining CBRE IM's private and listed real estate and infrastructure strategies, reporting to Chris Wood, EMEA Head of Client Solutions.
- • The appointment signals CBRE IM's commitment to capturing growth in the DC market segment, which represents a material opportunity as UK pension funds increasingly allocate to alternative assets.
Summary
CBRE Investment Management has appointed Ben van den Tol as Director of Client Solutions, tasking him with leading client solutions strategy for the UK Defined Contribution pension market. Based in the firm's London office, van den Tol will report to Chris Wood, EMEA Head of Client Solutions, and will be responsible for building bespoke investment solutions that leverage CBRE IM's full suite of private and listed real estate and infrastructure strategies.
The appointment addresses a strategic priority for CBRE IM. Chris Wood stated that the Defined Contribution channel represents a key focus globally, particularly in the UK, where "major structural shifts are unfolding to enable DC savers to reap the benefits of investment in private market strategies." This context reflects ongoing regulatory and market developments that have expanded pension fund access to alternative assets.
Van den Tol arrives with significant pedigree in the DC institutional market. He spent approximately eight years as Head of Institutional Business & Consultant Relationships at Investors Mutual in Sydney before moving to Carne Group, where he served as Business Development Director and led the UK Defined Contribution channel. His experience spans both investment strategy and client implementation, areas critical to developing institutional-grade solutions for pension funds. Van den Tol holds the CFA charter and earned his Bachelor's degree in Economics and Psychology from the Australian National University.
In his new role, van den Tol emphasized his focus on the evolving DC market landscape, noting that "the UK Defined Contribution market continues to evolve at a rapid rate, including through the increasing use of private market strategies." His mandate will encompass designing and delivering real asset solutions tailored to DC investor needs, positioning CBRE IM to capture growing allocations from this institutional segment as structural barriers to private market access continue to diminish.
The appointment addresses a strategic priority for CBRE IM. Chris Wood stated that the Defined Contribution channel represents a key focus globally, particularly in the UK, where "major structural shifts are unfolding to enable DC savers to reap the benefits of investment in private market strategies." This context reflects ongoing regulatory and market developments that have expanded pension fund access to alternative assets.
Van den Tol arrives with significant pedigree in the DC institutional market. He spent approximately eight years as Head of Institutional Business & Consultant Relationships at Investors Mutual in Sydney before moving to Carne Group, where he served as Business Development Director and led the UK Defined Contribution channel. His experience spans both investment strategy and client implementation, areas critical to developing institutional-grade solutions for pension funds. Van den Tol holds the CFA charter and earned his Bachelor's degree in Economics and Psychology from the Australian National University.
In his new role, van den Tol emphasized his focus on the evolving DC market landscape, noting that "the UK Defined Contribution market continues to evolve at a rapid rate, including through the increasing use of private market strategies." His mandate will encompass designing and delivering real asset solutions tailored to DC investor needs, positioning CBRE IM to capture growing allocations from this institutional segment as structural barriers to private market access continue to diminish.
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