NETHERLANDS - Jacco Koopmans, a former senior investment consultant at Hewitt Associates in the Netherlands, has started his own investment consultancy firm.

Having left Hewitt in Amsterdam a few months ago, Koopmans set up his new outfit, Interim Investment Professional, in July. It will specialise in interim investment advise on location for pension funds and other institutional investors.

He's currently working on strategic policy project for Dutch pension fund PGGM, the second largest in the Netherlands.

Koopmans says he decided to strike out on his own after seeing a gap in the market in which pension fund are in desperate need of investment professionals who can advise them.

"Often asset managers and investment banks nab the skilled consultant, hence there is a shortage of skilled personnel at pension funds," Koopmans said in an interview with IPE.

He will make himself available to pension funds who want strong in-house investment support, he says.

"I work as a sparring partner within the existing infra-structure of the pension funds," he said.

Meanwhile, Hewitt has named Dolf Hoeks to lead its international benefits consulting practice in the Netherlands

He joins from Mellon Analytical Solutions where he was country manager for the Netherlands.

"Dolf has extensive knowledge in the field of international benefits provision; his appointment will help us to strengthen our market share as one of the leading international benefit consultancies in the region," said Ian Hinton, head of international benefits consulting for Hewitt in Europe.

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