Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (Omers) has appointed Dimitri Buzanis, a longtime executive from the CAAT Pension Plan, to lead its private equity funds business. This strategic hire signals Omers' intent to make private equity investments a more central component of its overall buyout strategy.

Buzanis's extensive experience at CAAT, where he held the role of Chief Investment Officer, is expected to be instrumental in developing and executing Omers' private equity funds strategy. His appointment underscores the growing importance of private equity within the pension fund's investment portfolio, aiming to enhance returns and diversify asset allocation.

The move by Omers reflects a broader trend among institutional investors to increase their exposure to private markets. By bolstering its private equity capabilities, Omers seeks to leverage the potential for higher returns and long-term growth offered by this asset class. The pension fund manages assets worth over $121 billion and is looking to capitalize on opportunities in the private equity space to further strengthen its financial standing for its members.