The Ontario pension giant is sending a top executive to London and promoting from within as part of a broader organizational realignment
One of Canada's Maple Eight pension funds has announced a series of leadership changes aimed at deepening its footprint in Europe and strengthening internal governance.
Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) announced Wednesday in a press release that Michael Kelly, currently chief legal officer and chief sustainability officer, will transition to the newly created position of head of Europe, strategic relationships and chief sustainability officer. Based in London, Kelly will continue to serve as OMERS’ most senior sustainability executive globally.
“Michael is one of our most senior executives with deep knowledge of our organization and its global asset base, extensive leadership experience, a proven ability to build strategic partnerships, and a longstanding commitment to sustainability,” said OMERS president and CEO Blake Hutcheson, adding that the appointment reflects the growing importance of Europe to OMERS’ investment strategy.
Swartz promoted to general counsel
Brodie Swartz has been promoted to executive vice-president and general counsel. Swartz has spent 15 years at OMERS, holding roles across OMERS Ventures, the former OMERS Growth Equity, OMERS Infrastructure and OMERS corporate teams, most recently serving as senior vice-president, associate general counsel and corporate secretary.
“Brodie has demonstrated strong leadership, sound judgment, deep legal expertise and a commitment to partnership across OMERS,” Hutcheson said.
Aziz takes on legal, compliance oversight
Chief operating officer Bob Aziz will assume oversight of OMERS’ legal and compliance functions, drawing on what the pension fund described as years of experience at both OMERS and Oxford Properties.
All three appointments take effect January 1, 2027 and "support OMERS' continued focus on delivering long-term value for members while strengthening trusted relationships in the markets in which it invests and operates," the pension fund said in its release.
