Daniel Fournier exits leadership as Oxford Properties names new president and CEO
Oxford Properties Group will see a leadership change on November 3, with Daniel Fournier stepping down and Eric Plesman returning as president and CEO, according to the company.
The global real estate investor, developer and manager, owned by OMERS, said the move follows a comprehensive succession process.
As reported by Oxford, Fournier will continue to provide strategic counsel into 2026 to ensure operational focus and support the transition.
Plesman was most recently head of Global Real Estate at HOOPP, where he led a diversified international portfolio across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.
Earlier in his career, he spent over a decade at Morgan Stanley in progressively senior global roles, as per the announcement.
Oxford said Plesman is deeply familiar with the company and the Canadian pension fund landscape.
He first joined Oxford in 2011, holding roles including Head of Canadian Investments, head of Canada and executive vice president, North America.
In his last role, he oversaw Oxford’s largest region by assets under management and personnel.
In addition to his previous positions, Plesman serves on the board of directors at the Greater Toronto Airport Authority, which manages Toronto’s Pearson International Airport.
He also chairs the Institutional Investor Council at the Pension Real Estate Association, representing global institutional investors, according to Oxford.
“Leading Oxford over the past three years has been a profound privilege,” said Fournier, Executive Chair of Oxford.
He explained that he committed to step aside once three conditions were met: progress against opportunities and challenges, stronger performance across the business and securing the best successor. “With those goals achieved, now is the perfect time for Eric … to take the helm.”
Plesman said he was honoured to return to the organisation and highlighted Oxford’s “world-class platform … clear strategy and strong momentum.”
He added that he looks forward to working with teams across Oxford and OMERS to deliver for customers, capital partners and members.
Blake Hutcheson, president and CEO of OMERS, said Plesman’s investment acumen and leadership skills make him “the ideal person to build on Oxford’s 65-year legacy” on behalf of 650,000 OMERS members.
He also recognised Fournier’s “extraordinary leadership” during an unprecedented time for real estate and thanked him for his commitment to succession.
