Jagdeep Singh Bachher

Jagdeep Singh Bachher
12th Chancellor of the University of Waterloo
Incumbent
Assumed office
July 1, 2024
Preceded byDominic Barton
President/Vice ChancellorVivek Goel (2021-present)
Chief Investment Officer of the University of California
Incumbent
Assumed office
April 1, 2014
Personal details
CitizenshipCanadian[1]
EducationUniversity of Waterloo (BASc, MASc, PhD)
OccupationManager
Scientific career
FieldsManagement, finance
ThesisVenture capitalists' investment criteria in technology-based new ventures (2000)
Doctoral advisorPaul D. Guild

Jagdeep Singh Bachher is a Canadian manager. He currently serves as the 12th chancellor of the University of Waterloo in Canada since 2024 and as chief investment officer of the University of California since 2014. He previously served as deputy chief investment officer and chief operating officer at Alberta Investment Management Corporation from 2009 to 2014.

Life

Bachher was born in Nigeria in West Africa to parents of Sikh heritage. His parents were both educators and taught, in India, Africa, and Waterloo, for more than 60 years. At the age of 15, Bachher and his family moved to Canada, where he enrolled at the University of Waterloo.[2]

From the University of Waterloo, Bachher received a Bachelor of Applied Science in mechanical engineering in 1993, a Master of Applied Science in management sciences in 1994, and a Doctor of Philosophy in management sciences in 2000. He credited the university's co-op program with playing an important role in his life.[2][3]

Bachher is now a Canadian citizen.[4]

Career

Alberta Investment Management Corporation

Bachher joined Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) in 2009. He initially served as Deputy Chief Investment Officer and Chief Operating Officer, overseeing various portfolios and operations of AIMCo’s $118 billion in assets, including public sector pension plans, provincial endowments, and government funds.[5] His work as COO included leading AIMCo through periods of organizational change, which involved managing critical systems upgrades. Despite some challenges in management style during this period, his leadership in AIMCo's venture and innovation fund earned him recognition as a forward-thinking investor.[6]

University of California

In January 2014, Bachher left AIMCo to serve as Chief Investment Officer and Vice President of Investments for the University of California. This office is responsible for managing the University of California’s investment portfolio, which grew to over $80 billion at the time of his appointment and has since increased to $169 billion.[7][8] He manages the pension, endowment, retirement savings, and working capital investment pools of the UC system, reporting directly to the Board of Regents on investment matters.[9] During his tenure, he implemented strategic changes, including enhancing transparency and responding to stakeholder concerns, particularly around socially responsible investing.[10][11]

University of Waterloo

In 2024, Bachher was appointed as the 12th Chancellor of the University of Waterloo, succeeding Dominic Barton.[12] As a triple alumnus of the University, Bachher credits Waterloo’s co-op program for significantly shaping his academic and professional career.[13] He has served on the University’s Board of Governors since 2018 and as Vice-Chair since 2020.[14] In his role as Chancellor, he acts as an ambassador for the University and presides over convocation ceremonies, conferring degrees and diplomas to graduates.[15]

Other Roles

Bachher also served[when?] as Chairman Emeritus of the Institutional Investors Roundtable, a global financial think tank. He was[when?] a visiting scholar at Stanford University’s Global Projects Center, where he contributed to discussions on innovation in institutional investing.[16]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Regents appoint chief investment officer". University of California. 2014-01-23. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
  2. ^ a b "Waterloo names triple alum Dr. Jagdeep Singh Bachher as chancellor". Waterloo News. 2023-10-24. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  3. ^ "Q&A: UC regents' chief investment officer Jagdeep Singh Bachher, 'champion for change'". UCLA. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  4. ^ "Regents appoint chief investment officer". University of California. 2014-01-23. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
  5. ^ "Jagdeep Bachher". uwaterloo. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  6. ^ "AIMCo's Jagdeep Bachher Appointed CIO of the University of California | Chief Investment Officer". www.ai-cio.com. 23 January 2014. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  7. ^ "UC Investments | UCOP". www.ucop.edu. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  8. ^ "UC Investments Creates Strategic Venture with Blackstone to Invest $4 Billion in BREIT Common Shares". Blackstone. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  9. ^ "Jagdeep Bachher". Intentional Endowments Network. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  10. ^ "Division Leadership | UCOP". ucop.edu. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  11. ^ "Jagdeep Singh Bachher". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  12. ^ "Canada Calling: Trudeau govt to welcome 500,000 new immigrants every year despite growing opposition". The Indian Express. 2023-11-05. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  13. ^ "Jagdeep Singh Bachher: A Leader in Finance and Academia, and the Next Chancellor of the University of Waterloo - Weekly Voice". weeklyvoice.com. 2023-10-27. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  14. ^ "MSE Alum named Chancellor of University of Waterloo | Management Science and Engineering". uwaterloo.ca. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  15. ^ "Triple alum named as Waterloo chancellor | Engineering". uwaterloo.ca. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  16. ^ "Jagdeep Singh Bachher | Secretariat". uwaterloo.ca. Retrieved 2024-09-09.