Bart van Eyk appointed equity and business development director

As the equity and business development director, Mr Van Eyk will join Oikocredit International’s management team, based in Amersfoort, the Netherlands.

Mr Van Eyk has extensive international business and leadership experience, with a background in microfinance, business innovation and structured finance in emerging markets.

Oikocredit managing director, Mr David Woods, said the management team was very pleased to have someone of Mr Van Eyk’s experience join the organization.

"Mr Van Eyk brings a wide range of skills and experience to the organization, and we believe his diverse background across a range of corporate and start-up environments, including diverse geographies, will positively contribute to Oikocredit’s future," Mr Woods said.

As a Dutch national who graduated with an MBA from Nijmegen University, Mr Van Eyk began his career as an officer in the Netherlands Royal Air Force before joining ABN AMRO where he stayed for almost 10 years in international private banking and business development in new growth markets.

Prior to joining Oikocredit, Mr Van Eyk was founder and CEO of Musoni, the world’s first 100% cashless microfinance institution in Kenya.

Mr Van Eyk said he was delighted to be appointed as a director of Oikocredit.

“I’m very much looking forward to beginning this new chapter with Oikocredit, as well as enhancing Oikocredit’s outreach in low-income countries,” said Mr Van Eyk.

Mr Van Eyk will be responsible for growing Oikocredit’s equity portfolio as well as identifying new business opportunities across the world.

Oikocredit is one of the world’s largest sources of private funding to the microfinance sector, providing credit and equity to small businesses through microfinance institutions in low-income countries and directly to trade cooperatives, fair trade organizations and small to medium enterprises.