Jean Michel has been appointed chief investment officer, Investment Management Corp. of Ontario (IMCO) effective July 3, the company announced on Wednesday.
Michel reports to Bert Clark, IMCO president and CEO, and will be based in IMCO’s Toronto office.
IMCO is one of Canada’s largest investment management firms with $60 billion of assets under management. Designed to serve the public sector in Ontario, the firm’s clients include the Ontario Pension Board and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board.
Michel will lead IMCO’s investment team. He will design and oversee the firm’s global investment activities, which will include strong portfolio construction capability, a focus on better access to all asset classes and greater internalization of investment activities. He will also oversee IMCO’s pursuit of strategic partnerships.
“Jean is an exceptional leader who brings deep investment experience to IMCO,” said Clark, in a statement. “We are building an organization that will provide public funds in Ontario with world class portfolio construction advice, access to a diverse range of public and private investment opportunities as well as high quality risk management and reporting. Jean’s extensive background makes him a clear choice to lead our investment division.”
Michel is the former president of Air Canada Pension Investments. In this role, he developed the investment strategy and oversaw all investment activities of Air Canada’s 14 pension plans.
Previously Michel was executive vice president, depositors and total portfolio at la Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. He also held senior roles at Mercer.
Michel is an associate of the Society of Actuaries and holds a master’s degree in finance and a bachelor of science in actuarial mathematics, both from Laval University. He is a member of the investment committee at the University of Montreal Pension Plan and a member of the pension policy council at the C.D. Howe Institute.