March people moves: Ron de Prie takes on chief finance and risk officer role at ILX

ILX’s Ron de Prie will join the management board as part of his new role | Rebalance Earth makes two new hires with James Hurrell and Raheem Mirza

ILX Management, the Amsterdam-based emerging market private debt asset manager, has appointed Ron de Prie as chief finance and risk officer. De Prie will take over from Tanja Pelle on the management board, as Pelle steps down from her own position as chief risk and operations officer. She will take on a senior advisory role at ILX instead.

De Prie has over 30 years’ experience in the financial sector, having both an auditing and an accounting background. Prior to joining ILX, he served as head of finance control and reporting at Bouwinvest, and before that he spent over 25 years at EY.

“We are delighted to welcome Ron to the management board of ILX. His expertise in financial control and reporting, combined with his commitment to a more sustainable future, aligns perfectly with ILX’s mission and values,” said Nanno Kleiterp, chairman of the supervisory board.

ILX primarily focuses on achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals and on climate finance in emerging markets. The ILX Fund I was launched in 2022 with incubation support from the German, Dutch, and UK governments and with cornerstone commitments from Dutch pension fund manager APG on behalf of ABP and bpfBOUW, and Achmea Investment Management on behalf of Pensioenfonds Vervoer. ILX Fund II was launched in 2024 with commitments from Danish pension providers Sampension and Akademiker, according to the firm.

Rebalance Earth appoints head of investments and head of marketing

UK boutique asset manager Rebalance Earth, which is focused on valuing and investing in nature, has made two new hires this month. James Hurrell has been appointed as head of investments, while Raheem Mirza has joined the firm as head of marketing.

Hurrell formerly led impact-driven investments in private equity at Bridges Fund Management, where he spent a decade of his career. He will lead investment strategy and capital deployment, working closely with Rebalance Earth’s chief investment officer Eoin Murray, to help scale nature-based solutions that deliver financial, operational, and societal resilience, according to the firm.

Commenting on his appointment, Hurrell said: “Nature is the solution yet remains critically undervalued. Rebalance Earth is demonstrating that investing in nature isn’t just necessary—it’s profitable, scalable, and essential for long-term resilience. I’m excited to help accelerate this shift.”

Mirza’s role will focus on developing a marketing strategy that captures the company’s proposition and sets out a clear business case for companies to pay for nature restoration in their local areas in order to increase their operational resilience, and generate cashflow, according to the firm.

“We’re shifting the perception of nature from philanthropy, or a niche responsible investment, to a business-critical asset. Through education and engagement, we’re helping investors understand that nature generates attractive long-term, financial returns while enhancing resilience for businesses, cities, and communities. Joining Rebalance Earth was an exciting decision, and I’m looking forward to building a brand that not only supports the growth of a new asset class but also contributes to the protection and restoration of the natural world,” Mirza said.

The appointments come as Rebalance Earth prepares to launch its flagship fund. It plans to target £10bn in nature-based investments over the next decade.