17 February 2026
Van Lanschot Kempen appoints Michelle Darracott as UK Chief Executive
Van Lanschot Kempen Investment Management (UK) Ltd (“Van Lanschot Kempen”) today announces the appointment of Michelle Darracott as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective April 1, 2026.
Based in London, Michelle will be responsible for growing Van Lanschot Kempen’s bespoke fiduciary management offering for UK pension schemes, with the objective of further establishing the firm as the preferred provider in the UK market. She will also oversee the distribution of the firm’s specialist, actively-managed investment strategies in the UK.
Michelle brings more than 30 years’ experience across the UK pensions and investment landscape, combining deep investment expertise with senior leadership roles spanning strategy, technology and client delivery. Most recently, she served as a Professional Trustee at BESTrustees Limited, a leading provider of professional trusteeship services to UK occupational pension schemes, and as a Non-Executive Director at TPT Retirement Solutions. Previously, Michelle was Chief Strategy Officer at Smart Pension, where she played a key role in driving international growth, and held a number of senior positions at Legal & General Investment Management, including Head of Strategic Change and Head of Digital Investing.
Johan Cras, who has served as interim CEO of the UK business, will resume his prior role as Senior Advisor for Investment Management Clients.
Erik van Houwelingen, Member of the Management Board of Van Lanschot Kempen, responsible for Investment Management Clients, said: “Michelle’s appointment marks an important step in the continued development of our UK business. The UK fiduciary management market is evolving rapidly, and demand for bespoke, high-quality solutions has never been greater. Michelle brings deep market knowledge, strong leadership experience and a clear alignment with our client-first culture. I am delighted to welcome her to Van Lanschot Kempen. I would also like to thank Johan Cras for his steadfast leadership during his time as interim CEO and look forward to continuing working with him as he resumes his role as Senior Advisor.”
Michelle Darracott commented: “Van Lanschot Kempen has a proven track record of delivering strong outcomes for clients. The firm has built real momentum in the UK, and I’m excited to lead the next phase of growth. At a time of significant change in the pensions landscape, trustees and sponsors need a tailored, partnership-led approach and a fiduciary manager that can provide clear insight, flexibility and solutions designed around their specific circumstances. I look forward to working with the team to support clients in achieving their long-term objectives.”
The appointment of Michelle Darracott is subject to regulatory approval.
About Van Lanschot Kempen Investment Management NV
Van Lanschot Kempen Investment Management is a specialist investment manager with a focused approach and a clear investment philosophy. We believe in long-term stewardship for our clients and other stakeholders. Van Lanschot Kempen Investment Management provides sustainable returns, fiduciary management services, manager selection, portfolio construction and monitoring, alongside a number of actively-managed investment strategies. As of 30 June 2025, Van Lanschot Kempen Investment Management had a total of €121.8 billion in client assets.
About Van Lanschot Kempen NV
Van Lanschot Kempen is an independent, specialist wealth manager active in private banking, investment management and investment banking, with the aim of preserving and creating wealth, in a sustainable way, for both its clients and the society of which it is part. Through our long-term focus, we create positive financial and non-financial value. Listed at Euronext Amsterdam, Van Lanschot Kempen is the Netherlands’ oldest independent financial services company, with a history dating back to 1737.
For more information, please visit vanlanschotkempen.com
Important legal information
This press release does not constitute an offer or solicitation for the sale, purchase or acquisition in any other way or subscription to any financial instrument and is not a recommendation to perform or refrain from performing any action.
Capital at risk. The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise and are not guaranteed. Investors may not get back the amount originally invested. Past performance provides no guarantee for the future.
Van Lanschot Kempen Investment Management (UK) Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Firm Reference No. 166063).
Based in London, Michelle will be responsible for growing Van Lanschot Kempen’s bespoke fiduciary management offering for UK pension schemes, with the objective of further establishing the firm as the preferred provider in the UK market. She will also oversee the distribution of the firm’s specialist, actively-managed investment strategies in the UK.
Michelle brings more than 30 years’ experience across the UK pensions and investment landscape, combining deep investment expertise with senior leadership roles spanning strategy, technology and client delivery. Most recently, she served as a Professional Trustee at BESTrustees Limited, a leading provider of professional trusteeship services to UK occupational pension schemes, and as a Non-Executive Director at TPT Retirement Solutions. Previously, Michelle was Chief Strategy Officer at Smart Pension, where she played a key role in driving international growth, and held a number of senior positions at Legal & General Investment Management, including Head of Strategic Change and Head of Digital Investing.
Johan Cras, who has served as interim CEO of the UK business, will resume his prior role as Senior Advisor for Investment Management Clients.
Erik van Houwelingen, Member of the Management Board of Van Lanschot Kempen, responsible for Investment Management Clients, said: “Michelle’s appointment marks an important step in the continued development of our UK business. The UK fiduciary management market is evolving rapidly, and demand for bespoke, high-quality solutions has never been greater. Michelle brings deep market knowledge, strong leadership experience and a clear alignment with our client-first culture. I am delighted to welcome her to Van Lanschot Kempen. I would also like to thank Johan Cras for his steadfast leadership during his time as interim CEO and look forward to continuing working with him as he resumes his role as Senior Advisor.”
Michelle Darracott commented: “Van Lanschot Kempen has a proven track record of delivering strong outcomes for clients. The firm has built real momentum in the UK, and I’m excited to lead the next phase of growth. At a time of significant change in the pensions landscape, trustees and sponsors need a tailored, partnership-led approach and a fiduciary manager that can provide clear insight, flexibility and solutions designed around their specific circumstances. I look forward to working with the team to support clients in achieving their long-term objectives.”
The appointment of Michelle Darracott is subject to regulatory approval.
About Van Lanschot Kempen Investment Management NV
Van Lanschot Kempen Investment Management is a specialist investment manager with a focused approach and a clear investment philosophy. We believe in long-term stewardship for our clients and other stakeholders. Van Lanschot Kempen Investment Management provides sustainable returns, fiduciary management services, manager selection, portfolio construction and monitoring, alongside a number of actively-managed investment strategies. As of 30 June 2025, Van Lanschot Kempen Investment Management had a total of €121.8 billion in client assets.
About Van Lanschot Kempen NV
Van Lanschot Kempen is an independent, specialist wealth manager active in private banking, investment management and investment banking, with the aim of preserving and creating wealth, in a sustainable way, for both its clients and the society of which it is part. Through our long-term focus, we create positive financial and non-financial value. Listed at Euronext Amsterdam, Van Lanschot Kempen is the Netherlands’ oldest independent financial services company, with a history dating back to 1737.
For more information, please visit vanlanschotkempen.com
Important legal information
This press release does not constitute an offer or solicitation for the sale, purchase or acquisition in any other way or subscription to any financial instrument and is not a recommendation to perform or refrain from performing any action.
Capital at risk. The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise and are not guaranteed. Investors may not get back the amount originally invested. Past performance provides no guarantee for the future.
Van Lanschot Kempen Investment Management (UK) Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Firm Reference No. 166063).
Il y a un dicton en néerlandais, Kom verder, qui ui signifie beaucoup de choses, et c'est notre philosophie d'entreprise. Il reflète la façon dont nous travaillons avec nos clients, mais aussi la manière dont nous dirigeons nos entreprises participantes pour créer de la valeur pour les actionnaires grâce à un engagement actif.
Risque de perte en capital. La valeur des investissements et des revenus qui en découlent peut évoluer à la hausse comme à la baisse. Les investisseurs sont susceptibles de ne pas récupérer l’intégralité de leur investissement initial. Les performances passées ne présagent pas des performances futures et ne sont pas constantes dans le temps.
Risque de perte en capital. La valeur des investissements et des revenus qui en découlent peut évoluer à la hausse comme à la baisse. Les investisseurs sont susceptibles de ne pas récupérer l’intégralité de leur investissement initial. Les performances passées ne présagent pas des performances futures et ne sont pas constantes dans le temps.