Key Takeaways
- • Omers appoints Adam Buzanis, formerly head of private markets at CAAT Pension Plan, as head of funds effective August 3, 2026, to lead the development and expansion of its private equity funds strategy and co-investment program.
- • Buzanis will report to Michael Block, who oversees private capital investments at Omers, as part of broader organizational restructuring within the pension fund's investment division.
- • The appointment reflects Omers' strategic shift away from traditional direct buyout activity toward fund investments, co-investments, and partnerships with external managers—a repositioning that has been underway for the past two years.
- • Recent senior leadership departures and promotions at Omers include former CIO Ralph Berg's move to Temasek and Michael Hill's promotion to global head of infrastructure and private equity, signaling accelerated organizational change.
Summary
Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (Omers) has appointed Adam Buzanis as head of funds to lead the Canadian pension plan's evolving private equity strategy. Buzanis, who joins from CAAT Pension Plan where he most recently served as head of private markets and previously led private equity strategy, begins his role on August 3, 2026. The appointment comes as Omers continues a strategic repositioning of its private equity platform, placing greater emphasis on fund investments and external manager partnerships rather than traditional direct acquisition activity.
In his new position, Buzanis will be responsible for developing Omers' external private equity funds strategy while expanding the pension plan's co-investment program. He will report directly to Michael Block, who oversees private capital investments across the organization. This hire represents the latest in a series of senior leadership transitions within Omers' investment division, reflecting the fund's commitment to reshaping its private equity operations.
Omers has been systematically restructuring its private equity business over the past two years, including the strategic decision to exit direct buyout activity in Europe in favor of investing through third-party fund managers and strategic partners. This shift represents a fundamental evolution in how the pension plan deploys capital in the private equity space, prioritizing relationships with external managers and co-investment opportunities. Concurrent organizational changes underscore this transformation: former Chief Investment Officer Ralph Berg recently departed to join Temasek, while Michael Hill was promoted this month to global head of infrastructure and private equity, with Michael Block's responsibilities expanded across all private capital investments.
Buzanis brings substantial private markets experience to Omers, with a track record of managing private equity strategy and operations at CAAT Pension Plan. His appointment signals Omers' commitment to building institutional capability in fund selection, manager relationships, and co-investment execution as core competencies within its private capital platform.
In his new position, Buzanis will be responsible for developing Omers' external private equity funds strategy while expanding the pension plan's co-investment program. He will report directly to Michael Block, who oversees private capital investments across the organization. This hire represents the latest in a series of senior leadership transitions within Omers' investment division, reflecting the fund's commitment to reshaping its private equity operations.
Omers has been systematically restructuring its private equity business over the past two years, including the strategic decision to exit direct buyout activity in Europe in favor of investing through third-party fund managers and strategic partners. This shift represents a fundamental evolution in how the pension plan deploys capital in the private equity space, prioritizing relationships with external managers and co-investment opportunities. Concurrent organizational changes underscore this transformation: former Chief Investment Officer Ralph Berg recently departed to join Temasek, while Michael Hill was promoted this month to global head of infrastructure and private equity, with Michael Block's responsibilities expanded across all private capital investments.
Buzanis brings substantial private markets experience to Omers, with a track record of managing private equity strategy and operations at CAAT Pension Plan. His appointment signals Omers' commitment to building institutional capability in fund selection, manager relationships, and co-investment execution as core competencies within its private capital platform.
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