The C$140B Ontario Municipal Employees’ Retirement System has brought back Eric Plesman to Oxford Properties Group, appointing him president and chief executive officer of the pension fund’s real estate arm.
Plesman previously worked at the C$79.2B Oxford Properties for a decade in various leadership roles, including head of Canada and executive vice-president of North America. He left the organization in 2021 to become the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan’s head of global real estate. Earlier in his career, Plesman spent over a decade at Morgan Stanley in progressively senior and global roles.
“We are delighted to welcome Eric back to lead the Oxford Properties team,” said Blake Hutcheson, president and CEO of OMERS, in a news release. “Eric’s impressive investment acumen and leadership skills make him the ideal person to build on Oxford’s 65-year legacy of investing in, developing and managing high-quality real estate on behalf of the 650,000 members of the OMERS pension plan.”
He rejoins Oxford Properties as Daniel Fournier, the real estate investor and developer’s executive chair, steps away from the leadership of the organization, as of November 3.
“Daniel Fournier’s extraordinary leadership has guided Oxford through an unprecedented time for real estate over the past three years,” said Hutcheson. “He is not only a remarkable investor but also one of the best and most selfless leaders I have ever worked with. He cares deeply about his team and achieving the best win/win outcomes. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Daniel for his exceptional work and his commitment to succession and to ensuring a smooth leadership transition.”
To support a successful transition, Fournier will provide strategic counsel into 2026 and will work closely with Plesman to maintain focus and momentum against Oxford’s operational execution and strategic priorities, noted the release.
