CPPIB appoints first chief investment officer

“Our investment governance structure has served CPP Investments well for many years,” said Mark Machin, president and chief executive officer at the CPPIB, in a press release. “However, the fund is on a trajectory to grow to $1 trillion by 2033. The time is right in CPP Investments’ evolution to create a dedicated, fit-for-purpose, chief investment officer role. Ed is very well positioned for this role, with his considerable investment expertise, enterprise-wide knowledge and global experience.”

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Since joining the CPPIB in 2008, Cass has served in various public markets roles, as the organization’s chief strategist and as global head of real assets. Prior to joining the CPPIB, he held roles at Fortress Management Group, Deutsche Bank Securities Ltd. and TD Securities.

In other personnel news, the CPPIB has promoted Deborah Orida to senior managing director and global head of real assets. In the role, she’ll oversee the global real assets programs including energy and resources, infrastructure, power and renewables, real estate and portfolio value creation.

Since joining the CPPIB in 2009, Orida’s positions include managing director and head of private equity for Asia and, most recently, senior managing director and global head of active equities. She also brings more than 25 years of investment experience, including nine years at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. “The appointment of Deborah as global head of real assets continues to demonstrate CPP Investments’ deep bench strength of proven investment leaders,” said Machin.

The CPPIB will also appoint a new senior managing director and global head of active equities after an internal selection process, noted the release.

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