Ontario Teachers’ expands presence in Asia Pacific with new Singapore office
SINGAPORE -- Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board (Ontario Teachers’) has opened a new office in Singapore to enhance its existing capabilities in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region.
Ontario Teachers’ already has more than 30 employees and approximately $15 billion invested in APAC across public equity, private equity and infrastructure (as of December 31, 2019) and the new office is set to accelerate ambitions for the region.
“Expanding our presence in Asia is critical to our future growth,” said Ben Chan, Regional Managing Director, Asia, who will oversee operations for the Singapore office.
“Asia Pacific offers numerous emerging and developed markets across two continents. Expanding our local capabilities will allow us to further generate returns to deliver on our pension promise.”
Infrastructure investing in Asia Pacific
The Singapore office will target investments across India, Australia-New Zealand (ANZ), and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Ontario Teachers’ Hong Kong office, established in 2013, will continue to focus on the north APAC geographies including Greater China, South Korea and Japan.
Ontario Teachers’ Infrastructure and Natural Resources (INR) team covering Asia Pacific, led by the recently hired Bruce Crane, Managing Director, INR, APAC, will be based in the Singapore office, given the proximity to the growth opportunities in India, ASEAN and ANZ.
Ontario Teachers’ Equities team will also be expanding its capability by having a team in the Singapore office to further optimize its coverage of the India, ANZ and ASEAN markets. This will include Private Capital Direct Investing and High Conviction Equities, covering a spectrum of equity possibilities.
Innovative technology investing in Asia
The Hong Kong office has also recently expanded to include the Teachers’ Innovation Platform (TIP) Asia team. TIP focuses on late-stage venture and growth equity investments in companies that use disruptive technology.
In addition to broadening its asset class and geographic reach in APAC, Ontario Teachers’ is also adding a local senior member of the Fund’s Global Strategic Relationships (GSR) department. This individual will develop and cultivate key partnerships in the region and assure that teams work across asset classes to enhance deal flow and strategic positioning.
“I’m excited to add new asset classes and broaden our pool of expertise across Asia Pacific,” said Mr.Chan. “In particular, I’m delighted to welcome Bruce to the team – he brings an exceptional depth of expertise in direct investments along with an acute understanding of the region.
“We look forward to growing our team in the coming months and see this as a great opportunity to attract new regional talent as well as bring in existing global talent.”
The Singapore office is in the city’s Central Business District at Asia Square Tower 2.
About Ontario Teachers’
The Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board (Ontario Teachers') is the administrator of Canada's largest single-profession pension plan, with $204.7 billion in net assets (all figures at June 30, 2020 unless noted). It holds a diverse global portfolio of assets, approximately 80% of which is managed in-house, and has earned an annual total-fund net return of 9.5% since the plan's founding in 1990. Ontario Teachers' is an independent organization headquartered in Toronto. Its Asia-Pacific regional offices are in Hong Kong and Singapore, and its Europe, Middle East & Africa region office is in London. The defined-benefit plan, which is fully funded as at January 1, 2020, invests and administers the pensions of the province of Ontario's 329,000 active and retired teachers. For more information, visit otpp.com and follow us on Twitter @OtppInfo.
Ontario Teachers
Hugh Christopher
Tel: +1 416 844 7463
Email: Hugh_Christopher@otpp.com
Daniel Del Re
Tel: + 852 2590 5741
Email: OTPP_Asia@kekstcnc.com