PRESS RELEASE – Deniz Harut joins AGRI3 Fund as CEO & Managing Director
Amsterdam, April 02, 2024: the AGRI3 Fund is delighted to announce the appointment of Deniz Harut as CEO & Managing Director of the AGRI3 Fund, bringing 19 years of experience in emerging markets and sustainable finance.
Deniz Harut’s extensive background in investment management and sustainable finance garnered through her roles at Pollination Group and Standard Chartered Bank, underscores AGRI3 Fund’s commitment to pioneering transformative impact for mobilising capital at scale towards sustainable agriculture in the developing world.
Recognised for her strategic leadership and innovative financing solutions, Deniz has a proven track record of delivering value for clients and partners alike. Her profound understanding of emerging markets and sustainability further strengthens AGRI3 Fund’s capabilities.
Prior to joining AGRI3, Deniz served as an Executive Director at Pollination Group, leading initiatives to transition portfolios towards net-zero and nature-positive investments. At Standard Chartered Bank, she held various senior positions for over seventeen years. Her last role with the bank was as Head of Sustainable Finance, responsible for building and managing the regional Sustainable Finance team from inception in Europe and the Americas, leading the bank in its 2030 net-zero sector commitments by mobilising capital toward climate solutions and projects.
Beyond her professional achievements, Deniz is an avid plant-based chef with a deep interest in food systems and their link to health.
Commenting on the appointment, Joost Zuidberg, AGRI3 Fund Board Member stated: “we are thrilled to welcome Deniz to the team. With her proven track record of strategic leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence, we are confident that Deniz will steer the Fund towards continued success and growth.”
Bob Assenberg, AGRI3 Board Member added: “As a board, we look forward to working closely with Deniz to realise our collective vision and drive innovation to finance more projects and businesses which protect forests, engage in sustainable agriculture and support rural livelihoods.”
Deniz added “I am excited to be joining AGRI3 at a pivotal moment to scale its impact towards transforming agricultural systems. How we farm is at the core of the climate and nature crisis but also plays an important part in the solution. The ability to move the much-needed capital is not just an opportunity of a lifetime – it’s a privilege and a responsibility.”
About AGRI3 Fund – AGRI3 Fund, created by UNEP and Rabobank, along with partners IDH and FMO, aims to support the transition to sustainable agriculture. Supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and the Global Environment Fund through Conservation International, AGRI3 Fund mobilises public and private capital globally. FOUNT and Cardano Development are the Investment Advisors for the Fund which provides credit enhancement tools and technical assistance to projects that actively prevent deforestation, stimulate reforestation, and contribute to efficient sustainable value chains while reducing carbon emissions and improving rural livelihoods.
For further information, please contact:
Maria-Pia Kelly
m.kelly@agri3.com