Some of the Maple 8 pension funds say it’s become easier to recruit since private equity activity began slowing down in 2022. “I suspect a lot of the private equity firms are struggling to hold on to people or maybe they want to manage… headcounts too,” OMERS chief investment officer Ralph Berg told the Financial Times.  (Financial Times)

Talking point: High interest rates triggered a slowdown in private equity deal activity, stalling exits and leaving investors with less cash for new buyout funds and to hire talent. That’s sent some private equity professionals to seek more secure positions at Canada’s big pension funds. British Columbia Investment Management Corporation, for instance, has reportedly hired about 20 people in the past two years from buyout firms. Private equity activity was especially slow earlier this year amid shocks from the U.S. tariff war. Recent data, however, shows deals are picking up.