This month, leading investment management company PGIM Real Estate Agricultural Finance welcomed Niko Zuidema to the organization as their Chief Credit Officer and Agriculture Portfolio Manager.
Supporting the company’s ambitious growth plans, Zuidema will lead credit and underwriting teams in addition to ongoing investor relationship management. He is responsible for the oversight of investment opportunities including building investment strategies and guidelines as well as analyzing results and portfolio performance.
“Goal-driven and strategic, Niko is an experienced executive with a demonstrated track record of success,” said Managing Partner John Wright. “His extensive background in stakeholder relationship management, portfolio diversification and leading high performing teams make him well-suited for the role.”
A seasoned professional with more than two decades of experience, Zuidema’s tenure in the industry spans a range of roles such as Chief Credit Officer, Food & Agribusiness and Chief Commercial Officer, Food & Agribusiness among others. Most recently, he was the Head of Agribusiness & Food – US for Bank of the West.
“Niko is a strong communicator well versed in developing team members for advancement,” Director Crystal Strauss said. “Highly motivated and results-oriented, he brings a wealth of knowledge of the agricultural finance market that will benefit him greatly in his new role.”
PGIM is the diversified asset management business of Prudential Financial, Inc. Comprised of seven self-governing asset management divisions, each PGIM business offers a distinct set of services. PGIM Real Estate Agricultural Finance is one of the largest global agricultural investment managers with over $10.5 billion in debt and equity investments.