AIMCo taps James Barber as co-CIO, private investments head

Alberta Investment Management Corp has appointed Sandra Lau as co-CIO, head of public investments, and James Barber as co-CIO, head of private investments. They will succeed Dale MacMaster, who announced his retirement from AIMCo last October. Barber will oversee real estate, infrastructure, private equity and private debt and loan strategies.

PRESS RELEASE

February 24, 2022
Edmonton, Alberta – Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) is pleased to announce the appointments of Ms. Sandra Lau to the role of co-Chief Investment Officer, Head of Public Investments, and Mr. James Barber to the role of co-Chief Investment Officer, Head of Private Investments. Ms. Lau and Mr. Barber succeed Dale MacMaster, who announced his retirement from AIMCo last October having served 23 years with the organization, the last seven as Chief Investment Officer. The transition is effective March 1, 2022.

“After screening over 60 qualified candidates from around the world, it became clear that the best choice for our clients is to appoint Sandra Lau and James Barber as co-Chief Investment Officers of AIMCo,” said Evan Siddall, Chief Executive Officer. “Their combined expertise will serve our clients best, striking an ideal balance that no other candidates were able to match.”

“Internal leadership succession should always be our preference, and I am pleased that we were able to build our team from within. Sandra’s deep history at AIMCo provides important continuity of leadership and sensitivity to client need, while James’s global industry experience and investment acumen helps ensure we are at the forefront of global asset management.”

As co-Chief Investment Officers, James will serve as Head of Private Investments, responsible for Real Estate, Infrastructure, Private Equity and Private Debt and Loan. Sandra will serve as Head of Public Investments, responsible for bringing together Fixed Income, Mortgages and Public Equities addressing clients’ needs for more liquid investments.

“The positive impact that Dale has had on the growth and evolution of AIMCo for the benefit of its clients during the past 23 years is indelible,” added Evan Siddall.

“Under his leadership AIMCo built a strong, client-oriented investment platform with a deep team of professionals ready to serve our clients. On behalf of the entire organization, I would like to thank Dale for his deep commitment to the organization and considerable delivery of client value over the past 23 years. It is particularly gratifying that in his final year with the organization, Dale oversaw the strongest levels of investment performance ever realized by the organization. We wish him well in his retirement.”