OMERS names new COO, chief legal, corporate affairs officer

The Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System is appointing Bob Aziz as its new chief operating officer and Michael Kelly as its chief legal and corporate affairs officer.

In the new role, effective April 20, Aziz will have oversight of the OMERS’ data and technology, privacy, government relations and global operations teams. He’ll also join the organization’s senior executive team and transaction approval committee, while remaining in his role as president of OMERS Investment Management.

Aziz spent 10 years at Oxford Properties, the OMERS’ real estate investment arm, where he was executive vice-president and chief legal counsel. 

Read: Caisse shifts roles in response to economic challenges

Kelly moves to the new role from his position as executive vice-president and general counsel for the OMERS. He first joined the fund as part of its infrastructure team in 2006.

In investment news, OMERS Growth Equity led a round of $64 million series-C funding for U.S. health-care company Aledade Inc.

The financing will allow the company, which partners with independent practices and health-care providers across 27 states, to expand its network of physician-led accountable care organizations, according to a press release.

“All across America, primary care physicians are in need of innovative ways to deliver better care at lower cost, while simplifying the administrative burden that takes time away from their patients,” said Teresa Lee, managing director of OMERS Growth Equity, in the release. “As this shift from legacy models of reactive patient health management to proactive value-based care gains momentum, and interest in the [accountable care organizations] approach continues to grow, Aledade is working hard to support physicians through this positive change,”

Read: OMERS posts 11.9% return for 2019 led by public equities