In the Spotlight

Ontario Investment Roundup
Year after year, we have seen billions in investments in the automotive, advanced manufacturing and life sciences industries in Ontario, Canada.

Invest Ontario appoints new executive team to meet growing mandate
Invest Ontario announces the appointment of its new executive leadership team.
New executive team joins CEO Khawar Nasim to solidify the Agency’s leadership in investment attraction TORONTO, Ontario, August 7, 2025 – Invest Ontario is pleased to announce the appointment of its new executive leadership team:Jennifer Block, Chief Operating OfficerRyan Marr, Vice President, Investment StructuringHeather Potter, Vice President, Business Development Building on the appointment of Khawar Nasim as CEO in April, this executive team brings a new depth of expertise to the Agency, reinforcing its ability to deliver on a growing mandate amid economic uncertainty and changing investor needs. I’m pleased to welcome Heather and Ryan to the team, and thrilled that Jennifer is continuing with us in a new capacity. Agility is the greatest strength an organization can have today. This group brings the expertise and strong leadership we need to move fast alongside our clients, adapt to changing market dynamics and unlock new opportunities that create meaningful economic impact for Ontario. Khawar Nasim CEO of Invest Ontario Jennifer Block assumes the role of Chief Operating Officer after leading the Agency as Interim CEO during the search. A respected public service leader with over twenty years of experience in economically focused ministries, Jennifer joined Invest Ontario from the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, where she served as Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Administrative Officer. As COO, Jennifer will focus on strengthening Invest Ontario’s internal capabilities with innovation to ensure the Agency remains responsive, efficient and high-performing as it evolves. Ryan Marr joins as Vice President of Investment Structuring, where he leads the Agency’s deal assessment and execution functions. Ryan brings two decades of experience in the investment management industry, with a track record of managing portfolios across asset classes for both high-net-worth and institutional clients in North America. Ryan’s expertise will bolster the Agency’s rigorous, data-driven approach to project evaluation, modelling, transaction structuring and performance measurement. Heather Potter, Vice President of Business Development, leads the Agency’s efforts to provide best-in-class support to investors across priority sectors. Heather brings deep leadership experience from the public sector, including a decade in senior roles across multiple provincial ministries. She most recently served as Chief of Staff to the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, where she played a key role in advancing the province’s business attraction strategy and was instrumental in the establishment of Invest Ontario. With these appointments, Invest Ontario’s executive team is now fully in place. Their specialized roles work in concert to bring the strategic clarity and operational excellence required to meet the province’s ambitious investment goals. Since its inception, Invest Ontario has announced more than $7.5 billion in investments that are creating over 9,500 jobs across the province. In recognition of this momentum, the 2025 Ontario Budget has committed an additional $600 million to the Invest Ontario Fund, bringing its total value to $1.3 billion. Moving forward, Invest Ontario remains focused on partnering with businesses to accelerate their success and secure strategic investments that create high-value jobs and strengthen Ontario’s economic future. The Agency is expanding into new sectors including food processing and modular housing, diversifying its international reach, and enhancing its support for innovative homegrown businesses. We’re excited and ready to take on what’s next. We’re evolving with the needs of investors, seizing new opportunities and continuing to build the agile, high-performing agency Ontario needs to compete and win on the global stage. Khawar Nasim CEO of Invest Ontario For more information about Invest Ontario, please visit www.investontario.ca.

100 Days In — Agility: Our Winning Edge
An article by Khawar Nasim, CEO of Invest Ontario
Khawar Nasim, CEO, Invest Ontario In times of economic uncertainty, strategy is not just about survival. It’s about meeting the challenge with a vision that transforms adversity into opportunity. A hundred days ago, I took the helm of Invest Ontario as we saw an unprecedented change to the economic model. The Ontario we had “grown up” and operated in had been irrevocably changed. Invest Ontario responded by stepping up to the challenge, adjusting our model and finding new means to support our province’s economic growth and stability. From the many conversations I’ve had over the past few months — with clients, CEOs, partners — there is one clear takeaway: the appetite for growth remains strong, and so does the appetite for investing in Ontario. In this volatile environment, investors long for predictability and a strong partner who can help bring their ambitions to life. Invest Ontario continues to be that partner. The proof is in Ontario’s robust investment pipeline: we’re the #1 state/province in North America for greenfield investment by project count, according to the fDi Report 2025. This reflects not only our province’s stability and competitive advantages, but also how Invest Ontario plays a key role in converting potential into success. We know that investors need more than just a great location. Investors need a partner who can match their pace and respond to change quickly, especially at a time when supply chains and market dynamics are in flux. Invest Ontario’s agility and ability to respond to opportunity have been a hallmark of our success and will continue to be at the core of our business model as we adapt to this new playing field. Take Roche, as an example, which we supported to bring its Global Informatics Hub to Ontario. What could have been a multi-year process took place in months thanks to Invest Ontario’s leading approach. In the words of Brigitte Nolet, President and CEO of Roche Canada Pharmaceuticals, the investment occurred in “record speed” for a company of their size. Or as another client, Asahi Kasei, once put it, “Invest Ontario is a solutions provider that can break down any barriers or roadblocks to get to ‘yes’.” There is no secret or shortcut to outcomes like these. It takes responsive client service, collaborative partners, streamlined operations and a robust framework to evaluate, structure and execute sophisticated deals with both rigour and speed. But above all, it requires a nimble, results-driven team to deliver. This approach has enabled us to simplify the investment process, tailor creative solutions for clients and achieve record turnaround times on complex projects. This same flexibility has also allowed us to pivot strategically and capture opportunities in new sectors and markets, continuing to deliver concrete results for the province as industry landscapes and economic priorities shift. Since our inception just four years ago, Invest Ontario has announced more than $7.5 billion in investments that are creating over 9,500 jobs across the province. These numbers don’t just reflect our achievements — they represent supply chain gaps being filled, new technologies and life-saving medicines being developed, regional economies being strengthened, and people stepping into roles that build meaningful careers. Ontario Investment Roundup For me, this work is deeply personal. As an Ontarian raised in an immigrant family, I understand how transformative these opportunities can be for individuals and communities, and how important it is that we continue to create them, especially today. The government has recognized our momentum, so we’ve been entrusted to do more. But as the Agency continues to grow and evolve, my priority as CEO is to maintain the same agility that has underpinned our success to date. Looking ahead, we’re extending our expertise into sectors such as food processing, defence and modular housing. We’re diversifying our international reach, while enhancing our support for homegrown businesses that drive innovation in our ecosystem. Staying nimble and adaptive will be vital to securing new opportunities in this dynamic and competitive landscape. Challenges will remain, but the opportunity before us is immense and exciting. We are fortunate to have a resilient province and business community, ambitious clients, and a broad network of partners across government and industry on our side. Most importantly, with great opportunity comes a responsibility to nourish the team tasked with delivering. As CEO, I want to thank the Invest Ontario team. I am fiercely proud of your leadership, your commitment and your hard work. Every day I am truly humbled and inspired by everyone driving success and progress at our Agency. While the economic landscape has shifted, we remain steadfast in our commitment: to deliver measurable impact for Ontario, model the leadership our people and partners deserve, and pursue an ambition that meets the moment.

Learn why Roche chose Canada for it's Global Informatics Hub
Invest Ontario supported Roche Canada’s more than $130M investment to create up to 250 jobs in AI, machine learning, computational biology and data analytics.
Invest Ontario was proud to support Hoffmann-La Roche Limited (Roche Canada) to establish a Global Informatics Hub in Mississauga, Ontario. Roche is a world-leader in diagnostics and pharmaceuticals with a passion for addressing real challenges faced by patients around the world. This investment of more than $130 million CAD over five years will create up to 250 new jobs in innovative areas like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, computational biology and data analytics. Canada is an important part of the global Roche Group network. With this expansion, they will now be considered one of the top five Informatics technology hubs supporting the Roche global business. Transcript | Described Video Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is a multinational organization with a 93-year history in Canada. They currently employ nearly two thousand people at their offices across the country, and their ongoing investments support the entire healthcare value chain in Ontario from research through to commercialization. Discover what Ontario’s life sciences sector can do for your business. Connect with us today to learn how we can help your next business expansion.