From Pharmacy to Finance[MV1]
In the centre of Amsterdam, a story began in 1831 that would stand the test of time. B.A. van Doorn, once a modest pharmacy near the Royal Palace, has grown into one of the most respected independent wealth managers in the Netherlands today. A company that has not only weathered nearly two centuries of economic storms but has also adapted to changing times and the evolving needs of its clients.
“When I became director of B.A. van Doorn in 2004, it was very common in wealth management to work with transaction fees, retrocessions, and to promotein-house investment products,” says Albert Maingay. “But that is not in the client’s best interest.” Maingay, who recently celebrated his 60th birthday, looks energetic. He just finished his weekly workout at the gym around the corner from his office on the Herengracht.
Under his leadership, B.A. van Doorn steadily grew into one of the larger independent wealth managers in the Netherlands. Maingay explains: “The client’s comes first We are independent and not influenced by commissions or other sources of income. We choose what is best for our clients. That creates trust, allowing us to build long-term relationships.”
Gouden Bocht
B.A. van Doorn is a rare sight in the prestigious Gouden Bocht on the Herengracht, where its office is located. This is no ordinary canal. Here lived the men who made Amsterdam great: merchants who sent their ships across the world, bankers who financed the Dutch Republic, regents who treated city governance as a family affair. They built sandstone city palaces with facades wider than elsewhere. Whoever lived here was someone. And whoever had an even wider house than their neighbour was someone who had truly made it.
“I think the previous residents from the Golden Age would have shaken their heads at our business model,” Maingay continues, staring out the window toward a beautiful terrace in the backyard. Aptly named ‘Secret Garden,’ it is a hidden sushirestaurant accessed from Reguliersdwarsstraat.
“The Gouden Bocht was the LinkedIn of the 17th century. No digital profile, but a three-window-wide facade, a stone doorstep, and a sculpted coat of arms above the door. Everything revolved around trust. And trust is something you build —just like these houses — brick by brick, generation after generation.
We probably earn the least from our clients compared to our colleagues here along the canals. But the secret to B.A. van Doorn’s success is independence. We don’t earn from transactions and never participated in retrocessions. We make one fee agreement upfront with the client and then tailor the service to their profile.We have no other sources of income. That keeps our advice pure, and we always act in the client’s best interest.”
Pharmacy on the Dam
The story of B.A. van Doorn begins in 1831, when the first company registration was recorded. Mr. B.A. van Doorn, “office holder beside the palace on the Dam,” was a pharmacist who successfully ran his practice in the heart of Amsterdam. But his entrepreneurship went beyond the pharmacy alone. Over time, he turned to shareholdings and investments on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange and financial advice.
After his death, the firm was continued by his descendants. In 1997, B.A. van Doorn became an official wealth manager after obtaining the required license. This marked the beginning of a new phase for the family business, during which it further professionalized.
In 2004, the transformation and development of B.A. van Doorn accelerated when Albert Maingay joined the company. Under his leadership, the firm took a new direction, with a clear focus on independence and customized client service. Since then, the company has positioned itself as a leading wealth manager, emphasizing personal and objective advice, always focused on the client’s best interests.
Tailored Solutions
“At B.A.van Doorn, we notice that a personal approach and building long-term trust withclients makes the difference. Our team of experienced wealth managers works independently and always puts the client’s interests first. With our unique approach, portfolios are built from index funds, individual stocks, and bonds, tailored to the client’s specific goals and risk tolerance.”
Looking ahead, the wealth manager continues to develop and innovate. Sustainability is gaining an increasingly important role in the investment policy, with an emphasis on socially responsible investing. At the same time, continuous efforts are made to improve services and respond to the changing needs of clients in a dynamic financial world. Besides regular wealth management, B.A.van Doorn is also expanding its family office activities. Increasing attention is also given to investments in private markets as a valuable addition to a well-diversified portfolio.
“When B.A.van Doorn opened its pharmacy on the Dam in 1831, wealth management as we know it today did not exist. You were responsible for your own investments, transactionsand inheritance. And it was precisely in that world, close to this bend, that a different tradition arose: that of the trusted advisor. The discreet consultant. Today, nearly two centuries later, the stones of the Gouden Bocht remain impressive. But the stories behind them may be even more important. Because what they tell us is that true wealth is not only found inreal estate or stocks, but in trust, discretion, and a long-term vision. Because some principles are like these canal houses: if you maintain them well, they last for centuries.”
Text: Martin van Putten
See also: Website ondernemersbelang
