Mike Nawas has been appointed as the Chair of the Supervisory Board of Invest International. With decades of experience in banking, capital markets and impact-driven finance, he brings a wealth of expertise to the organisation at a pivotal moment. In this interview, he shares what attracts him to Invest International, how he sees his role, and his vision for strengthening the organisation’s impact and international position.
“Invest International fills an essential gap in the market”
What attracted you to Invest International?
“Throughout my career, I have consistently observed a structural gap in the European and the Dutch market when it comes to financing innovative and higher-risk ventures. Compared to, for example, the United States, there is a much smaller pool of investors willing to provide patient capital to support companies through longer development phases. That makes institutions like Invest International incredibly valuable.
What particularly appealed to me is the organisation’s ability to combine public and private capital perspectives. Bringing those two worlds together creates a powerful model; one that not only addresses market gaps, but also helps mobilise additional investment and scale impact, particularly in regions where access to financing is often limited.
I was also drawn to the organisation’s dual focus: strengthening resilience and earnings capacity while contributing to broader societal goals, including development outcomes aligned with international public priorities. Invest International plays an important role at that intersection of trade and development cooperation, using investment as a means to deliver sustainable impact.
And, I see clear potential in the integration with Invest-NL and the ambition to build a strong Dutch investment institution with sufficient scale. The combination of impact, scale and international ambition is what convinced me to take on this role.”
“Supervision is also about enabling and advising”
Beyond your formal supervisory role, how do you see your contribution?
“Good supervision goes beyond oversight. It also means being an active sparring partner for the management board, as in advising, enabling and helping to navigate complex decisions.
Invest International is still a relatively young organisation that turns five years old this year. It is still finding its path. My role – together with my fellow Supervisory Board colleagues – is to support the leadership team in shaping that path: where to position the organisation, which growth areas to prioritise, and how to engage with stakeholders.
I bring a broad background spanning banking, capital markets, entrepreneurship and governance. I have also been closely involved in major mergers and integrations, such as during the restructuring of ABN AMRO and its subsequent integration into Royal Bank of Scotland. That experience taught me the importance of clear strategy, stakeholder alignment and strong storytelling in creating successful outcomes. These are areas where I believe I can add tangible value – particularly given the wide range of stakeholders Invest International operates with, from shareholders to governments and international partners.”
“Demand for capital exceeds supply, choices are essential”
What do you believe are the key challenges and priorities for the coming years?
One of the core challenges is that demand for financing is likely to continue to exceed supply. This requires making clear choices about which sectors, ecosystems, and markets to prioritise in order to achieve the greatest impact. Maintaining focus is crucial, even when there are many attractive opportunities.
At the same time, the geopolitical environment is becoming more complex. Developments in global trade, security, and economic relations will directly affect the markets and sectors in which Invest International operates. This may raise questions about where to invest, given increasing risks. Managing how these dynamics influence Invest International’s portfolio and strategy will remain an ongoing priority.”
“Dutch entrepreneurs must continue to look outward”
What opportunities do you see for Dutch entrepreneurs?
“The Netherlands is one of the world’s leading economies, consistently ranking among the top 20 globally. The country has always embraced international trade and has a highly open market. At the same time, access to financing international activities has become more challenging, particularly from traditional sources such as banks. This creates a clear role for Invest International: to support companies in scaling internationally and to mobilise additional capital.
What I find encouraging is the breadth of the current portfolio, which includes both established companies and many promising SMEs. These smaller, fast-growing companies are the backbone of the Dutch economy and represent high-potential future success stories.
By leveraging its investments to attract additional funding, achieving a multiplier effect, Invest International can significantly amplify its impact. There is considerable prospect to strengthen the international position of the Dutch economy in this way.”
“Success means creating recognised global champions”
Looking ahead, what does success look like to you?
“Success would mean that in a few years’ time, Invest International has supported one or two truly standout success stories; companies that are widely recognised as international leaders and that contribute meaningfully to the Dutch economy. This requires a degree of conviction in investment strategy. Rather than spreading resources too thinly, it is important to back sectors and companies where you believe you can truly make a difference.
At the same time, the integration into a broader Dutch investment institution broadens our pathway to success: a win-win combination, creating synergies between domestic and international investment activities.
And importantly, all of this needs to happen while the organisation continues to perform and deliver. As we say in Dutch: ‘tijdens de verbouwing gaat de verkoop gewoon door’ – even during transformation, the core business must keep running effectively. Together with the Management Board, I look forward to contributing to this ambition and putting my shoulders behind making it a success.”
About Mike Nawas
- Mike Nawas (1964) is an experienced financial executive and supervisory board chair with a strong background in capital markets, banking and impact-driven finance.
- He is currently Founding Partner at Bishopsfield Capital Partners and serves as Chair of the Supervisory Board of Triodos Bank, as well as Non-Executive Director at Achmea (Pensions & Life).
- Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership roles at ABN AMRO and the Royal Bank of Scotland, including global positions in structured finance and debt capital markets.
- He holds a PhD and MSc in Economics from Tilburg University and brings a unique combination of mission-driven banking experience, capital markets expertise and stakeholder management.
- Mike met his wife Anne during their student days and together they have three adult children. The family home is in Utrecht. He enjoys a range of cultural activities, is a good cook and an avid bridge player.
