“I could see myself working for APG for the rest of my life”

Who are the people who consciously choose to work in the pension sector? What do they do every day to manage your pension? And what makes their work so enjoyable? In our series The people behind your pension, we take you behind the scenes. This time: Cees Harm van den Berg (40), expert strategist at APG.

What exactly does an expert strategist do?
“I help ABP and PPF APG—two of the pension funds APG works for—define their strategic investment policy for the next three to five years. We do this through what’s called an Asset Liability Management study. In it, we assess the fund’s obligations, meaning the future pension payouts to participants. Based on that, we determine the required return to meet those obligations and the appropriate investment mix. Should a pension fund invest more in equities, or rather in bonds or real estate? And to what extent should interest rate and currency risks—which can affect the value of investments—be hedged?”

What skills are most useful in your role?
“You definitely need strong analytical skills. That’s essential because you have to interpret large volumes of data from various studies. Writing skills are also important, since part of the job involves drafting investment plans and presentations for the pension funds we support. Explaining complex information clearly is probably the hardest part—and also the most crucial skill.”

You took a four-month sabbatical last summer. What led to that decision?
“My partner and I had been thinking for a while about taking an extended trip. The early years with our two young children were quite challenging, and we wanted to mark the end of that period with a memorable journey. It hadn’t worked out before, partly because things were so busy. For example, I was involved in transitioning our employee pension fund, PPF APG, to the renewed pension system. After the fund officially transitioned on January 1st, things calmed down at work. So from late March to August, we traveled across Europe in a camper—through Italy, Greece, the Balkans, and France. Now we’re back, recharged and ready for a new chapter.”

What do you look forward to most at the start of a workday?
“During the trip, I realized how much I genuinely enjoy my work. Toward the end, I even started to miss it a little. What I especially love is diving into complex issues. For instance, recent policies under Donald Trump raised questions about our U.S. investments and currency risk. I really enjoy building arguments, backing them up with data, and solving the puzzle. And once I’ve figured it out, I get to explain that puzzle to the fund boards.”

Even though you missed your work during the sabbatical, there must be some downsides too.
“Since COVID, the number of meetings has gotten a bit out of hand. Occasionally, our team has a ‘no Teams Friday,’ and I really appreciate those. So if I had to name one downside, it would be the excessive amount of meetings.”

What made you decide to apply to a pension investment firm about five years ago?
“I was working at a consultancy firm as an investment advisor for several smaller pension funds. I really enjoyed it, but unfortunately, I was increasingly pulled into the sales side of the business. I wanted to focus more on the actual subject matter, and then the perfect role at APG came along. After a thorough application process—including about seven interviews and writing and defending a case—I got the job.”

When do you feel proud to work at APG?
“Right from the start, I noticed how much respect and appreciation people at APG have for each other and each other’s expertise. There are so many smart people here, all working toward securing the pensions of millions. I also quickly saw how everyone listens attentively and is open to others’ arguments. That’s still true today, even as we face some major challenges in the coming years.”

You used to row during your student days. Do you still do that?
“I really enjoyed rowing back then, but I realized that if you want to get really good, you have to spend a lot of time together in the boat. I’m more of a solo athlete, so I prefer running. I ran a marathon earlier this year and plan to do another next year. I also enjoy cycling—several times a week on an indoor trainer. I compete in the Zwift Racing League on the Zwift online cycling platform. Through my earbuds, I stay in touch with teammates from Norway, England, and Belgium as we try to rack up as many points as possible. It’s almost an addiction—but a healthy one! I also love skiing, often with friends and recently, for the first time, with my family.”

You spent over ten years at your previous employer and now five years at APG. Where do you see yourself in five years?
“Still at APG, if it’s up to me. It’s a fantastic employer. When we went through a tough time with our young children, APG gave me the flexibility I needed to manage things at home. It’s a company that truly supports its people. That might depend on your manager, but I really felt supported during that time. Plus, I love my job and enjoy working for and with ABP and PPF APG. I could happily keep doing this for the rest of my life.”