Blake Hutcheson Named OCC’s 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

(TORONTO – September 18, 2023) – As part of its 41^st annual Ontario Business Achievement Awards (OBAAs), the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is proud to announce Blake Hutcheson, President and CEO of OMERS, as the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. Every year, the Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to a person who has demonstrated outstanding leadership throughout their career and made a significant and positive impact on the province and beyond.

“We are honoured to have Blake Hutcheson as the esteemed recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Rocco Rossi, President and CEO of the OCC. “Blake’s outstanding achievements are a testament to his exceptional leadership, unwavering dedication, and philanthropic endeavours. He has and continues to make a lasting impact in Ontario throughout his career.”

Hutcheson’s commitment to fostering sustainable growth and development in the real estate industry has been marked by numerous achievements and contributions. Named one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40, his expertise and strategic vision have propelled him to positions of influence and impact, including having served as CEO of CBRE Canada and Latin America, CEO of Oxford Properties Group, the Chair of the Canada Real Estate Forum and the Chair of Build Toronto, among others.

“I am fortunate to know and have learned from some truly amazing mentors, colleagues and partners, both in business and in life, who have been integral to the journey leading me to where I am today. I am truly humbled and honored by this recognition here at home, from an organization that does such excellent work to advocate for and advance the success of our incredible province,” said Mr. Hutcheson.

The OBAAs are the most distinguished industry celebration in the province, recognizing business success. The televised Lifetime Achievement Award episode will celebrate Hutcheson’s inspiring career as an Ontario business leader and trailblazer. Beyond his accomplishments in the business world, he has been actively involved in community organizations and initiatives working to build a sustainable future for all. He has been awarded both the Right to Play Corporate Hero Award and the B’nai Brith Canada Award of Merit for his community work and philanthropic efforts.

Watch the 2023 OBAAs on Saturday, October 14 at 3:30 pm ET on TLN TV – now on free preview across Canada. The televised Lifetime Achievement Award episode will highlight Hutcheson’s career, showcasing the incredible potential of Ontario’s homegrown talent and solutions in addressing sustainability challenges.

This year’s OBAAs are supported by our Series Presenting Partner, CN and Broadcast Partner, TLN Media Group. The Lifetime Achievement Award Episode Partner is Bruce Power. To learn more about the broadcast and our partners, visit the OBAAs website.

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About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is the indispensable partner of business and Canada’s largest, most influential provincial chamber. It is an independent, non-profit advocacy and member services organization representing a diverse network of 60,000 members. The OCC’s mission is to convene, align and advance the interests of its members through principled policy work, value-added business services and broad engagement to drive competitiveness and economic growth in the province.

ABOUT OMERS
OMERS is a jointly sponsored, defined benefit pension plan, with 1,000 participating employers ranging from large cities to local agencies, and over half a million active, deferred and retired members. Our members include union and non-union employees of municipalities, school boards, local boards, transit systems, electrical utilities, emergency services and children’s aid societies across Ontario. OMERS teams work in Toronto, London, New York, Amsterdam, Luxembourg, Singapore, Sydney and other major cities across North America and Europe – serving members and employers, and originating and managing a diversified portfolio of high-quality investments in public markets, private equity, infrastructure and real estate.

For more information, please contact:

Samir Janmohamed
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
Policy and Public Affairs, Specialist
samirjanmohamed@occ.ca  | 647-882-9878

Lori McLeod
OMERS
lmcleod@omers.com |437-241-8480