Mike Woollatt, CEO of the Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (CVCA), is leaving the organization to join OMERS as the director of strategic partnerships, according to a report from PE Hub Canada.
Woollatt will be responsible for fundraising, connecting with potential investors, and managing existing relationships.
Speaking with PE Hub, Woollatt said he will join the OMERS Platform Investments division, which includes OMERS Ventures and oversees OMERS’ platforms in venture capital, special situations, energy, financial services, cleantech and renewables, as well as life sciences. In May 2017, OMERS Ventures closed its third fund with $300 million in commitments. Earlier this year, the VC firm also announced its plans to expand into Europe and Asia.
As director of strategic partnerships, Woollatt will be responsible for fundraising, connecting with potential investors, and managing existing relationships. He will join OMERS at the end of the summer.
Woollatt joined CVCA as its first CEO in 2014. Before joining CVCA, Woollatt co-founded Beaconsfield Group, a management consulting and public affairs company. Woollatt has also held executive roles at companies like CTVglobemedia, Canwest Global Communications, and Bell Canada.
According to PE Hub Canada, Woollatt said departing CVCA was a “tough decision for me, but the opportunity at OMERS is very exciting,” adding that he is leaving CVCA in “great hands with an excellent team in place.”
As Woollatt transitions into his new role, CVCA chair Mark Usher said the organization’s board has begun searching for a new CEO.
In June, the CVCA announced the launch of CVCA Intelligence, its investment data portal powered by Hockeystick. The organization has released several reports examining VC activity in Canada. The latest report released in May found that $690 million was invested in 139 Canadian companies in Q1 2018.