At AMS, I laid the foundations for an international career in real estate asset management.
Thomas Van Rompaey built an international career in asset management at Antwerp Management School, where he leverages sustainability, leadership, and self-awareness to create impact across a global real estate portfolio.
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Thomas Van Rompaey, Global Responsible Investment Manager – Real Estate Equity & Debt at BNP Paribas Asset Management Alts
You write your own future. Thomas Van Rompaey had always been fascinated by the financial sector and strong leadership. That’s why he chose to pursue a Master’s in Finance at Antwerp Management School. Today, he works as Global Responsible Investment Manager for real estate equity and debt at BNP Paribas Asset Management Alts, where he and his team integrate sustainability into every stage of the investment process for an international real estate portfolio. Yet his career began in a very different field: nursing. A radical career change? Yes and no. Because even today, care, responsibility, and impact remain at the core of Thomas’ professional journey.
When Thomas started his program at Antwerp Management School, he had recently completed a degree in International Business. Before that, he had worked for some time as a nurse. While he found the work meaningful, he realized it wasn’t something he wanted to do forever.
“I could clearly see that I made a difference for my patients every day. But I wanted to create a broader impact professionally. I had always been fascinated by the financial sector and I wanted to work in an international environment.”
Moving from healthcare to finance might sound like a big leap, but through hard work and determination it quickly proved to be the right decision. “I was actually encouraged by my patients,” he says. “They told me that in life you have to seize every opportunity and follow your dreams. Otherwise, you might regret it later.” So Thomas decided to continue his studies. At first, he kept working as an interim nurse to finance his education. During an exchange period in Basel, he discovered that he thrived in an international environment. Later, he gained experience in The Hague.
Still, he felt he lacked the specific knowledge needed to take the next step in his career. That realization led him to pursue a Master’s in Finance at AMS.
Close to home, yet international
Choosing Antwerp Management School was a deliberate decision.
“Antwerp is my home base, but at the same time it is very well connected to the international business world. Cities like Amsterdam, Paris, London, and Frankfurt are all nearby.”
The international focus, combined with the program itself, immediately appealed to him. The passion of the professors and the ambition of his fellow students also played a key role. “I felt that the Master’s in Finance really stood out,” he recalls. “Even in the evenings or on weekends you would still see students on campus working. Hard work was simply part of the culture.”
The interdisciplinary nature of the program proved particularly valuable later in his career.
“Today, my team operates at the intersection of multiple departments such as asset management, development, transactions, funds, and client management. We collaborate with people from many different backgrounds and have to align everyone towards a common strategy. My education at AMS was the perfect preparation for that. You really learn how to become a stronger leader.”
And of course, technology also plays an important role in the financial world. During his studies, Thomas learned to work with a wide range of applications and analytical tools.
“I learned to think faster and to work with different applications and even programming languages. That means you don’t have to be afraid of innovation later in your career, quite the opposite.”
Studying and building a network
Expertise and management skills are essential in the business world. But social skills and the ability to build and use a network are just as important. That is something AMS strongly emphasizes. “Working with students from other programs allows you to meet people from different industries,” Thomas explains. “Later in my career, I ended up working with some of them again.”
AMS also organizes a wide range of events that connect students with industry leaders. During his studies, Thomas had the opportunity to speak at a major sustainability event attended by Queen Mathilde and former Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. Representing AMS at the event made a lasting impression on him. It also confirmed that sustainability was the direction he wanted to pursue in his career.
“That’s the beauty of studying at AMS. They encourage you to reflect on yourself and on what you really want to achieve, both today and in the future. I already had that mindset because of my unusual career path, and AMS helped sharpen it even further.”
He believes that continuous improvement is essential throughout a career.
“That’s the beauty of a program at AMS. They teach you to reflect on who you are and what you truly want to achieve, both today and in the future. I already had that mindset thanks to my atypical background, and AMS helped me stay sharp. Even later in your career, you need to keep improving yourself and your team in a world that is constantly changing.”
The leap to a €100 billion portfolio
The sustainability event during his studies was, in many ways, a preview of Thomas’ future career.
“A large part of my job today involves representing the company, for example in working groups or events organized by institutions such as the OECD or the United Nations.”
Within BNP Paribas Asset Management Alts, he works with a specialized team and experts from different departments, as well as external consultants. All of this takes place in an international environment, managing a real estate portfolio worth more than €100 billion. Working in such a global context requires more than technical expertise. It also requires emotional intelligence and courage.
“Showing determination, working hard, and daring to move beyond your comfort zone are all essential. That mindset is something you need to bring yourself, but it’s also actively encouraged at AMS. And that makes sense, because it’s what defines strong leaders.”
The transition from AMS to his current role felt almost natural. During his studies, a speaker from AXA Investment Managers gave a guest lecture and met Thomas there. At the time, a position had just opened at AXA Investment Managers Benelux, which later became part of BNP Paribas Asset Management. Thomas did not hesitate long before applying.
A smaller footprint, a bigger impact
Does Thomas want to make an impact? Absolutely. His role revolves around one central question: how can real estate remain both sustainable and investable in a rapidly changing world? As Sustainability Manager for real estate, he and his team focus on three strategic priorities: decarbonization, climate resilience, and future-proofing assets. By combining long-term vision with pragmatic action, they help ensure that real estate investments remain viable in the decades to come.
But for Thomas, impact goes beyond professional achievements.
“On a personal level, I also want to set an example. I want to show that your career does not always have to follow a straight line. What matters is making choices you truly believe in. And then committing to them fully.”
His unconventional background turned out to be an advantage during both his studies and his career. The human dimension is often underestimated in business environments. Thomas also wanted to prove himself as a Belgian professional in the international financial sector. And that’s not something that happens automatically. “You have to work hard and keep challenging yourself.”
If I did it, others can too
For Thomas, AMS was the springboard to the career and role he had always envisioned. He wholeheartedly recommends the business school and its programs.
“As I said earlier: dare to take the leap. You should think carefully about your choices, but ultimately, action is what matters. For me personally, there was no better option. I would never have reached where I am today without AMS.”
The combination of a strong theoretical and practical curriculum, together with the social environment and professional network, is what makes Antwerp Management School so unique, according to Thomas.
“The international alumni network you build during your studies stays with you throughout your career. Even today, those connections are incredibly valuable, and I’m always happy to stay involved with AMS.”
Do you want to make an impact through strong, sustainable leadership in your own environment or internationally?
