Introduction
LGPS Central provides investment management and advisory services to eight Partner Funds located across the central region. Its primary mission is to ensure the long-term growth and sustainability of the assets under its stewardship. Collectively, these funds
manage approximately £61 billion in assets on behalf of over one million LGPS members and over 3,000 participating employers.
The LGPS Central team
LGPS Central’s success is driven by a team of 89 dedicated professionals, organised across five key teams: Investments, Legal, Risk and Compliance, Finance and Investment Operations, Commercial and Client Services and People, Places and Programmes. LGPS Central values its people as its most important asset and is committed to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive. This commitment is reflected in its focus on equity,
diversity, and inclusion, as demonstrated by its participation in the Diversity Project.
About Us
LGPS Central are the FCA-regulated asset manager for eight local authority pension funds across the Midlands. LGPS Central's Partner Funds are the Cheshire Pension Fund, Derbyshire Pension Fund, Leicestershire Pension Fund, Nottinghamshire Pension Fund, Shropshire Pension Fund, Staffordshire Pension Fund, the West Midlands Pension Fund and the Worcestershire Pension Fund. LGPS Central are jointly owned on an equal shares’ basis by their Partner Funds. Founded in 2017 as part of the LGPS management pooling initiative LGPS Central is one of eight Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) asset pools in England and Wales. The formation of LGPS Central brought together existing inhouse skills and further private sector experience, to create and develop an asset manager which combined the best of private and public sector values, skills, expertise and drive.
At LGPS Central we are passionate about responsible investment (RI). We believe that the integration of responsible investment supports long-term risk-adjusted returns, and we have made responsible investment a core part of the investment process in every asset class and in every investment mandate held. We have the objective to be an exemplar for RI within the financial services industry.
Today LGPS Central manages more than £30 billion of assets through in-house and external funds, pooled and advisory arrangements. We are an ambitious team of 89 investment professionals operating from the historic and diverse city of Wolverhampton. Diversity, equality and inclusion (D,E&I) are in our DNA – through our colleagues, partner funds, culture and way of working to our investments. It is a key part of who we are. Our strengths lie within it. Our values put our customers at the heart of our business and bring colleagues together to deliver for our Partner Funds, their pension members and employers. We are committed to working with others across our industry to embed D,E&I and secure its future.
After seven years of strong leadership, the Chair of LGPS Central Ltd, Joanne Segars OBE will be completing her term of office in October 2025. She will be leaving an organisation that is highly resilient and has effective working relationships with its partner funds, colleagues, government, advisers, asset managers and suppliers. A business which is ready for its next phase of growth and development.
This is an exciting time to chair LGPS Central given our growth trajectory, the Government’s focus on investment in UK infrastructure, pension funds and the LGPS. If you have experience of similar growth businesses in pensions or asset management and have the integrity, vision, influence and leadership to continue to bring people together to deliver at pace we would like to invite you to explore this opportunity further.
Click here to learn more about the role
Experience and knowledge (key qualifiers)
* Non-Executive Chair (ideally)/Committee Chair experience within financial services (and other regulated sectors as part of a portfolio of commitments).
* Operated at a senior level within an asset manager/owner or other financial services regulated entity with responsibility for managing multiple stakeholder relationships. Experience gained in a variety of roles such as Chief Executive, Chief Operating Officer etc
* Understanding of financial markets, investments and/or pensions; an understanding of the integration of Responsible Investment factors into investment management practices, including Climate Change.
* Understanding of commercial and corporate governance relevant to LGPS Central and an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework within which it operates
* Familiarity with growing a company either organically and/or via merger and acquisition activity.
* Understanding of the machinery of local and central government, the political pressures faced by shareholders and the ability to operate within a changing policy environment.
Living our values:
* Be curious enough to challenge and strong enough to change
* Build trust through transparency and teamwork
* Own outcomes with ambition and pride
* Strive to shape a better future for everyone.
Skills, behaviours/personal attributes (key competencies)
* Able to Chair effectively - the ability to foster conditions for others to make broad contributions, having difficult conversations when necessary, and enabling the Board to find creative and pragmatic ways to overcome challenges and seize opportunities (for the benefit of LGPS Central and its Partner Funds).
* Strategic insight - ability to guide long-term strategic planning and assess the alignment of business activities with strategic objectives.
* High EQ/IQ (low ego) - proven ability to build strong relationships with colleagues and key stakeholders (Partners Funds, Regulators).
* Communication - excellent communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage and influence at all levels.
* Ethics and integrity - strong commitment to ethical behaviour and corporate social responsibility.
* Analytical skills - strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to assimilate, assess and analyse information, especially financial information.
* Determination, with the tenacity and drive to succeed.
* Political astuteness - knowing how to navigate and influence at local and central government levels.
* Able to set and cultivate the cultural tone of the Board – one of collaboration and support; a willingness to embrace all forms of diversity (see/unseen), inclusivity, pragmatism and healthy challenge.
What do we offer?
Fee
* £Competitive. During the handover/’Chair Designate’ period, the individual will receive a Director’s fee in line with other Board non-executives; once officially assuming Chair responsibilities, this fee will increase to reflect the designated change.
Time commitment
* Circa 45 days per annum.
If you’re interested in applying for this role, please reach out to Rachel Allen at Warren Partners. You can contact her directly at rallen@warrenpartners.co.uk to express your interest or ask any questions about the application process.