The Alberta-based CIO will take the mantle, effective immediately
Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) has named Justin Lord as its new chief investment officer, effective immediately, marking a significant internal promotion at one of Canada’s largest institutional investment managers.
The appointment concludes a wide-reaching international search and reflects AIMCo’s preference for leadership continuity and deep internal experience. Lord, who has been with AIMCo since 2012, most recently served as senior executive managing director and Global Head of Public Markets, where he oversaw the firm’s public equities and fixed income strategies.
“Justin has proven he has the experience, expertise and investment acumen to head this critical function,” said Ray Gilmour, AIMCo’s interim CEO. “He is a trusted partner to our clients and an excellent leader to our investment teams, and I am pleased AIMCo has the deep bench strength to tap for this role.”
With nearly two decades of experience in institutional investment management, Lord’s career began in 2005 at the New Brunswick Investment Management Corporation. He holds a BBA with a finance concentration from the University of New Brunswick and is a CFA Charterholder. He will remain based in Alberta.
Lord steps into the CIO role at a time when institutional investors face a complex landscape of high interest rates, shifting asset valuations, and rising demand for private market diversification. As CIO, he will be responsible for steering AIMCo’s investment strategy across more than $179 billion in assets under management on behalf of pension, endowment, and government fund clients in Alberta.
“I am proud to work on behalf of AIMCo’s clients and to lead such a world-class investment team,” said Lord. “I know that together we share the same deep commitment to successfully executing our investment strategy and to delivering on our mandate.”
Lord’s elevation also signals AIMCo’s broader talent strategy as it navigates leadership transitions. AIMCo’s last CIO was Marlene Puffer, who left last September after less than two years in charge of the pension fund manager’s investment teams. The CIO’s duties were split in two at the time, with Lord taking on responsibility for equities and fixed income, and David Scudellari in charge of private assets until he left AIMCo in February, the Globe and Mail reported.
Meanwhile, the firm continues its search for a permanent CEO following the departure of Evan Siddall in 2023.
