GLOBAL - Robeco, the asset management arm of Rabobank, has named former ABN Amro Asset Management executive Frank Kusse to head up its international expansion.

The Rotterdam-based firm said Kusse would join its management board as of January 10 as international director.

"In this capacity, he will be responsible for the management of a major part of Robeco's current international activities," Robeco said in a release.

"In addition, he will be in charge of Robeco's further international expansion and he will head up Robeco's Financial Service Center in Rotterdam. His appointment is subject to the approval of the relevant regulators."

Robeco said Kusse worked at ABN Amro Asset Management for over 19 years. He was most recently managing director of global retail.

From 1999-2004 he was chief executive of ABN AMRO Asset Management Asia-Pacific in Hong Kong.

Robeco CEO George Möller said: "Robeco has far-reaching international ambitions. We wish to further expand our current activities in the US, Europe, and the Middle and Far East, both in terms of product distribution and asset management.

"We are also prepared to make acquisitions to further strengthen our position as an international asset manager. Frank Kusse's extensive international experience and his specific knowledge of asset management will, therefore, be of great value to us."

Kusse added: "Robeco is a highly respected asset-management company with great growth potential, particularly on an international level. It will be an enormous challenge to help Robeco to further shape its ambitions in this area."