BNP Paribas Real Estate Netherlands has appointed Rick Niemeijer as CEO, taking over from the firm's co-founder Sicco Posthumus.
Niemeijer has been working at BNP Paribas Real Estate since 2008, of which seven years as a member of the executive board and director asset management & investments.
Niemeijer has been deputy CEO for over two years as the appointment followed a careful and long-term succession plan to preserve the continuity of the organisation. In the wake of this transition period, Founder and CEO Sicco Posthumus has announced he is stepping down after fourteen years at the helm of the company.
Together with the appointment of Niemeijer, Michiel Santing has been appointed as director capital markets. Santing has been working at BNP Paribas Real Estate since 2010 and was an important factor in strengthening the company’s pan-European capabilities as director of international investment group advisory.
Said Posthumus: 'Fourteen years ago I founded this organisation with Machiel Hoek and Sake Pleiter. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved as a team, first as an independent company and later under the wings of BNP Paribas. This is the right time for me to step down and focus my full attention on a number of projects that are dear to me.
'We had a well-planned and structured transition process and I leave the organisation knowing it is in an excellent position for further growth.
'I have known Rick for fourteen years and he is very committed to our profile as an entrepreneurial organisation, where attention and a personal approach make the difference. I am proud that we appoint this next generation of board members from within our own ranks, and look forward to the future with confidence, knowing that Rick will succeed me as CEO.'
Said Niemeijer: 'Due to the efforts of Sicco and the rest of the team we hold a strong position in our market. Towards the future I am convinced that with the extensive cooperation with BNP Paribas, we are in the right position to further strengthen our market position.
'We will remain an entrepreneurial and agile real estate advisor, but the fact that we can access the strength and expertise of a global bank is unique in our industry. As we are Europe’s leading real estate advisor, we have the scale and the network to take on any new assignment. I am looking forward to further grow our organisation organically.'
