UK-based diversified holding group Wittington Investments has launched a C$100m ($75m) corporate venturing vehicle that will be headed by Jim Orlando, The Globe and Mail has reported.
Orlando came from pension fund manager Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (Omers), having joined its private equity arm, Omers Private Equity, in 2007 as managing director. He helped Omers form venture capital unit Omers Ventures in 2011 and has been managing partner since 2013.
The position involved Orlando overseeing North American investments for Omers Ventures in the media and telecommunications sectors, including rounds for content management software provider Contentful and communication technology developer Ranovus.
His new role will involve Orlando identifying startups that are developing technologies with a strategic fit to subsidiaries of Wittington’s Canada-based food distribution business George Weston, which include baked goods producer Weston Foods, food retailer Loblaw Companies and pharmacy chain operator Shoppers Drug Mart.
Wittington Investments co-invested with Omers Ventures in July 2018 when it backed health benefits management platform developer League. It is also a limited partner in the $350m fund launched by venture capital firm Radical Ventures last month.
Photo of Jim Orlando courtesy of LinkedIn.
