Evolving PGGM Investment Management towards impact-investing
PGGM Investment Management with €230B assets under management is the pension investor for the healthcare sector. Based on the new investment beliefs of their client they formulated together with this client the strategy to fundamentally shift from 2D investment management (optimizing risk & return) to 3D investment management (risk, return, and impact). PGGM IM realizes that the existing operating model does not support this ambition, especially in a rapidly changing landscape with high volatility and ever-evolving industry standards. Therefore, PGGM IM engaged SparkOptimus to design and ignite a transformation of its operating model, aiming to become a highly adaptable organization with ESG fully ingrained in its investment processes and portfolio.
SparkOptimus has been a phenomenal partner that guided us towards becoming a future-fit organization. On top, they were a pleasant partner to work with that radiates energy, vision, and a clear ‘getting-it-done’ mentality.
We followed a dual approach that combined the strategic design of the to-be operating model with a parallel pilot in one of the investment management teams for real-life validation of core components. The focus was on developing the organization's ability to quickly and safely adapt by building a 'change muscle' that enables the organization to identify and respond to new transition themes at high speed. In shaping the to-be operating model, SparkOptimus addressed three main dimensions - ways of working, governance & steering, and organizational structure. The parallel pilot helped stress-test critical design components and bring the to-be operating model to life for operational teams, adjacent colleagues, and senior management. SparkOptimus co-shaped PGGM IM's to-be operating model, which included specifying test-and-learn ways of working, designing cross-functional collaboration models, future governance structures, and detailed the scaling approach.
.png)
Take the insights with you
Through this collaboration, SparkOptimus designed a compelling 'North Star' for PGGM IM's future operating model, shaped the overall transformation approach, and helped kickstart the transformation with a successful first pilot. By doing so, SparkOptimus helped PGGM IM strengthen its change muscle and empowered cross-functional teams to react quickly in a rapidly changing environment, recognizing that the end-state operating model design will take time to achieve. The transformation program is now fully handed over to internal PGGM teams, while the successful pilot is being scaled rapidly towards adjacent Investment teams. The corresponding technology and data foundations are also being established for larger-scale implementation.
Want to find out how your business can benefit from our 1-week digital transformation scan? Click here to get in touch with us.
Ready to transform your organization? Discover how with our 1-week scan.
In recent years, the energy sector has faced significant disruptions due to the energy crisis and the ongoing transition towards sustainability. Eneco, a leading producer and supplier of natural gas, electricity and heat in the Netherlands, recognized the need to not only adapt to these changing market dynamics but to take the initiative in fostering a shift towards more sustainable consumption behaviours. Their vision was not just to introduce a new product but to catalyze a profound behaviour change that benefits both consumers' wallets and the environment. Driven by a vision to empower consumers with greener, more cost-effective energy choices through dynamic pricing and a broad range of services and products, Eneco partnered with SparkOptimus to kickstart the transformation, set-up and delivery of these innovations.
Budget Thuis is a leading energy and telecom services provider in the Netherlands, committed to providing reliable services at affordable prices. Serving more than a million customers, Budget Thuis holds a prominent position in the industry. Recognizing the substantial potential of Generative AI to enhance internal processes and the customer experience, Budget Thuis faced challenges in realizing its value independently. Therefore, they asked SparkOptimus’ support in identifying and prioritizing company-specific use cases, rapidly testing and proving the value by collaboratively building, testing, and improving MVPs, and designing an organizational setup for long-term, sustainable (Gen) AI innovation.
Henkel Consumer Brands (HCB) offers a wide range of consumer goods, represented by leading and well-known brands such as Persil, Schwarzkopf, and Dial. Committed to sustainability, HCB is transforming its product portfolio by integrating more sustainable solutions. The aim is to empower consumers to make sustainable choices not only in their purchase decisions but also in the usage of the products. To accelerate this journey, HCB collaborated with SparkOptimus to develop a comprehensive approach on shifting consumer behaviors and establishing sustainable choices as the new norm.
Zijerveld (a subsidiary of FrieslandCampina) is one of the largest cheese wholesalers in Europe. Recognizing the vast potential AI can bring to their business, they approached SparkOptimus for a one-week data scan. The scan consisted of identifying and prioritizing potential AI use cases across Zijerveld’s business and creating a first view of business value for selected use cases.
