Igmar den Heijer at a glance

Executive Director, United Trust Amsterdam
 
Experience
Corporate Services
Trust & Private Wealth Services
Fund Services
Environmental Markets
Risk Management 
 
Education
- Master in financial management at the University of Heerlen,
  The Netherlands
- Bachelor in accounting at De Haagse Hogeschool, The Hague,
  The Netherlands
  
Specialisation
Trust services, Fund services, Environmental Markets

Q: “Igmar, how do you see the financial crisis affecting the carbon market?”
A:  “The positive behaviour I’m seeing is that all players are being much more cautious about the deals they’re making. The deal-making process has slowed down, and I see that as a good thing—it gives all parties more time to make sure that transactions are structured correctly.”

Q: “Let’s talk about you personally. Tell us about your financial education.”
A:  “I started out studying the mining business, actually—not economics. But I was always very interested in financial management, so I switched to finance.”

Q: “What about your professional experience before United?”
A:  “I spent years at Fortis Intertrust. Before moving to United, I became very interested in environmental markets. What I found particularly interesting was being part of developing a new market.”

Q: “What motivated you move to United in July of 2008?
A: “I wanted something new—not just a new job, but a new challenge. I wanted to expand. And there are three basic ways to expand: become a stakeholder in an existing company; get involved in a takeover or merger; or start a new company from scratch, which is called greenfielding. That’s the option I chose when I signed on at United.”

Q: “Igmar, where are we likely to find you when you’re not working?”
A:  “In a coaching session, maybe. I tutor students in Financial Management. And I like to travel.”