Thijs Aaten has been appointed as CEO for APG Asset Management Asia, effective 1 September. He succeeds Wim Hazeleger who is stepping down as CEO Asia Pacific after ten years in the role. Hazeleger will be leaving APG, to pursue new opportunities. Michael van Ommeren joins the Asia Pacific leadership team as the new CFRO, effective 1 September. Both Thijs and Michael will be based in Hong Kong, APG’s regional head office in Asia Pacific.

Thijs Aaten is a seasoned business executive with more than 27 years’ experience with wide ranging financial services expertise. He joined APG in 2001 and has served in numerous managerial roles in the Netherlands and Hong Kong, most recently as Chief Finance and Risk Officer (CFRO) of APG Asset Management Asia. In this role, Aaten was responsible for risk management, compliance and finance for the last four years. Prior to this, he established the APG Treasury Center, a licensed investment firm which acted as the central dealing desk and counter party for APG’s clients and funds. Aaten is also a board member of ISDA, the international Swaps and Derivates Association.

Michael van Ommeren takes over from Aaten as APG Asset Management Asia’s CFRO. His last role was Chief Operating Officer at Indosuez Wealth Management where he had an additional responsibility for the finance and treasury function. Previously he worked amongst others as Chief Operating Officer for the Hong Kong branch of Dutch ABN Amro Bank and Standard Chartered Bank in Singapore where he gained experience in operational risk management. Van Ommeren is a seasoned executive with over 20 years of experience in Asia. He is well aware of the issues and files within the CFRO column. Among his non-executive roles, he volunteered as the Vice Chairman of the Board of the Dutch Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong between 2016 -2020.

As CEO of APG Asset Management Asia, Hazeleger was responsible for leading and overseeing the development and execution of APG Asset Management’s strategy in Asia Pacific, and business operations across Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Beijing. During his tenure, Hazeleger has driven and successfully implemented restructuring efforts, including optimizing organizational structures, and empowering key leaders with renewed vision.

Ronald Wuijster, CEO of APG Asset Management: “We are deeply indebted to Wim for filling the position of CEO of APG Asset Management Asia over the last ten years. Under his leadership and active engagement with the Board, APG Asset Management Asia more than tripled its employee base in the region to about 100 people and grew its AUM by 400%+ to approximately US$30bn. We greatly appreciated his dedication, expertise, and ability to rally others in navigating change. On behalf of APG, I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

“We are fortunate to have Thijs take over as CEO of our Asia Pacific operations. He is an accomplished financial expert and APG has gained from his broad vision and ability to make good use of opportunities for many years now. His experience in both financial and risk management, and his four years in Hong Kong ensures a smooth transition in leadership and provides continuity for our Asia Pacific operations.

I look forward to a pleasant and fruitful cooperation with both Thijs and Michael and the continued success of our Asia Pacific business.”