GRESB has named Sander Paul Van Tongeren as its new managing director. He has been with GRESB since 2009 and was formerly head of EMEA. He succeeds Nils Kok who announced plans to leave earlier last year.
“I greatly look forward to the opportunity that lies ahead for GRESB,” said Van Tongeren. “The ability to lead this next chapter is exciting, and I am focused on accelerating the innovation in ESG that our members are expecting from us. I also plan to continue to help GRESB fulfill its mission to enhance and protect shareholder value by assessing and empowering sustainability practices in the real asset sector.”
Before joining GRESB, he worked at APG Asset Management as Head of Sustainability Real Estate and Infrastructure, co-founded and served on EPRA’s Sustainability Reporting Committee and INREV’s Sustainability Committee, and was actively involved in UN PRI’s Property Advisory Group and IIGCC’s Property Working Group.
“I am personally committed to supporting Sander Paul’s new role and hope to further the broader integration of GRESB into GBCI, to provide ESG data, engagement and services, from asset to portfolio performance,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, president and chief executive officer of Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) and GRESB board member. “There is immense potential for market transformation through full integration of the products offered by GRESB and GBCI.”
GRESB was acquired by GBCI in October 2014 in an effort to provide an unprecedented view of global real estate to help protect and enhance the value of its investments, while simultaneously contributing to a more sustainable built environment.
“I want to acknowledge Nils and his significant contribution to GRESB over the last seven years. After his transition, he will act as my strategic advisor,” added Ramanujam. “Nils’ vision for the real estate and infrastructure sectors to create more efficient buildings and assets, in ways that make good business sense and reward innovation, will carry forward as we continue to position GRESB as a unique global information platform for real assets and define the financial value of the green building movement and industry.”
