News Rabobank
Departure CEO, Carbon Bank merges into a larger whole
Barbara Baarsma (photo) will leave on March 1 of this year after two years as CEO of the Rabo Carbon Bank. "Because my own learning curve is leveling off and becoming less steep after these two years, it's time for a new challenge for me," says Baarsma in an internal Rabobank memo. Baarsma will not return to the bank in another position and the Carbon Bank will no longer continue as a separate entity. This will be placed with Wholesale & Rural (W&R), led by Roland van der Vorst, Head of W&R Innovation.
"By merging the two departments, Rabobank aims to further strengthen the innovation and development of important future capabilities within W&R (Wholesale & Rural) and the bank," said the internal memo that Boerenbusiness has. Van der Vorst says: "By combining this with my role as Head of W&R Innovation, I think we can achieve even more synergy between the two activities. The Rabo Carbon Bank is a cornerstone for the future of Rabobank."
The Rabo Carbon Bank was established in February 2021 with the aim of buying and selling CO2 credits and developing projects for CO2 storage in trees and soil together with agricultural entrepreneurs, Baarsma said in an video interview with Boerenbusiness.
Seven propositions in development
Baarsma: "Two years ago, Wiebe Draijer asked me to lead the Rabo Carbon Bank. Together with the team, we embedded the Rabo Carbon Bank in Rabobank, accelerated our carbon solutions and positioned the Rabo Carbon Bank in the global CO2 challenges. I have enjoyed doing this innovative work and am particularly proud that we currently have seven propositions in development, three of which are close to scale-up, and that Rabo Carbon Bank is now part of an impressive international carbon network. "
Baarsma worked in top positions at Rabobank for seven years and, before becoming CEO of Rabo Carbon Bank, led RaboResearch and Rabo Amsterdam. What Baarsma will do is still unknown. She works for Rabobank in Brazil and, when asked, says she has no time to respond.
The Carbon Bank CEO is the second top woman Rabobank has said goodbye to in a short time. Carin van Huët is no longer director of Food & Agri Netherlands as of this year. It is still unknown whether and, if so, by whom she will be succeeded.
Linda van Eekeres
© DCA Market Intelligence. This market information is subject to copyright. It is not permitted to reproduce, distribute, disseminate or make the content available to third parties for compensation, in any form, without the express written permission of DCA Market Intelligence.