Non Executive Director in Birmingham

LGPS Central is seeking to appoint two Non-Executive Directors to join its Board at a strategically important point in the organisation’s development. The roles are: Non-Executive Director and Investment Oversight Committee Member, Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee. These are senior Board appointments and offer the opportunity to help shape the next phase of one of the most significant developments in UK pensions and asset management.

About LGPS Central: LGPS Central is the asset manager and strategic adviser for 14 Local Government Pension Scheme Partner Funds across the Midlands and wider UK. The collective assets of the LGPS Central Pool are approximately £100bn, supporting over 1.6 million LGPS members and 5,000 participating employers. In less than a decade, LGPS Central has evolved from a £3bn pooling entity into a fully fledged fiduciary manager and strategic adviser to its Partner Funds. The business is now entering a pivotal phase as it continues to strengthen its investment capability, governance maturity, operating model and long-term impact.

The opportunity: We would like to appoint two high-calibre individuals who can bring significant senior-level experience, independent judgement and strong Board contribution. These appointments come at an important stage in LGPS Central’s evolution. The organisation is scaling in complexity, capability and strategic ambition. The Board is focused on strengthening governance maturity, deepening strategic engagement and driving clear accountability between Non-Executive Directors, the Executive team and Partner Funds.

The successful candidates will join a Board that is expected to provide constructive challenge, enterprise-level thinking and strong oversight in a regulated environment. The post-holders will be expected to join one or more of the Board’s committees and will be subject to the FCA Senior Managers and Certification Regime.

The roles: Both Non-Executive Directors will support LGPS Central through its next phase of growth, governance maturity and strategic development. They will act as full Board members, providing independent oversight, constructive challenge and sound judgement across strategy, governance, risk, culture, stakeholder engagement and organisational performance.

• Promoting high standards of governance, regulatory compliance and ethical conduct.
• Supporting the Chair and Executive team in embedding the right culture, values and behaviours.
• Providing constructive challenge to support effective decision-making and accountability.
• Contributing to Board discussions on investment performance, responsible investment, sustainability, risk, regulation and organisational development.
• Building trusted relationships with Board colleagues, the Executive team, Partner Funds and wider stakeholders.
• Supporting LGPS Central’s purpose as a regulated investment organisation working with and for its Partner Funds.

Role specific requirements:

Non-Executive Director and Investment Oversight Committee Member: This role will support LGPS Central’s development as a fiduciary manager and strategic adviser. The successful candidate will bring senior investment expertise and the ability to contribute beyond technical investment matters. They will support Board oversight of investment strategy, performance, risk and responsible investment.

• Senior investment or executive leadership experience, ideally in asset management, public markets or private markets.
• Strong commercial judgement and the ability to challenge on strategic investment matters.
• Good understanding of responsible investment, ESG and stewardship.
• Experience interpreting investment performance, risk and financial information.
• Strong governance, risk and regulatory oversight experience.
• The ability to explain complex issues clearly to different audiences.
• Experience of the LGPS, Defined Benefit pensions, audit, risk, compliance or business development would be advantageous.

Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee: This role will support LGPS Central’s people, culture, reward, leadership and succession agenda as the organisation continues to grow. The Chair of the Remuneration Committee will help ensure remuneration and people governance remain aligned with LGPS Central’s purpose, public-sector values, regulatory expectations, risk appetite and long-term strategy. The appointment may also carry additional responsibilities as Senior Independent Director.

• Senior leadership experience, ideally as a Non-Executive Director, C-suite executive or equivalent.
• Experience in a regulated environment, ideally financial services.
• Experience as a member or Chair of a Remuneration Committee.
• Strong understanding of reward, executive incentives and long-term pay frameworks.
• Experience of culture, leadership, succession and Board effectiveness.
• Understanding of the link between remuneration, risk, culture and performance.
• The ability to act as a trusted adviser to the Board Chair while providing constructive challenge.
• Experience of the LGPS, public sector, pensions, financial services governance, Board effectiveness or regulated remuneration frameworks would be advantageous.

Time commitment: Non-Executive Directors are expected to commit at least 2 to 3 days per month to the role. Terms of office are three years, with the opportunity to renew up to a maximum tenure of nine years. Reappointment will be dependent on performance and is subject to shareholder approval.

Regulatory approval: The post-holders will be subject to the FCA Senior Managers and Certification Regime. Appointments may be subject to approval by the FCA during the course of the appointment. It should be noted that appointments are subject to the approval of the Nominations Committee, LGPS Central’s Board, the unanimous approval of shareholders and regulatory approval.

Other directorships and interests: It is accepted that candidates may have business interests outside LGPS Central. Any current or potential conflicts of interest should be declared as part of the process. If candidates become aware of any potential conflicts of interest, or intend to take on new commitments, these should be disclosed as soon as apparent and before taking up any outside interests.

Insurance: LGPS Central has Directors’ and Officers’ liability insurance and intends to maintain such cover for the full term of appointment. The Board reviews the amount annually to ensure an appropriate level of cover is maintained.

The recruitment process: The process is expected to include: First stage discussions with Rupert Gibb and/or Julia Fearn of Warren Partners, to position the role and complete an initial assessment. Selected candidates will be invited to a virtual fireside chat with Nemone Wynn-Evans, Chair of the Board. Preferred candidates will then meet again with Nemone Wynn-Evans and either Susan Martin, Non-Executive Director and current Chair of the People, Culture and Remuneration Committee, or Richard Law-Deeks, Chief Executive Officer. As part of the final process, preferred candidates will meet other Board members, including Executive Directors and shareholders. Candidates may be required to undertake a Hogan Leadership Insight Assessment as part of any final assessment.

Diversity: The Board is committed to having a diverse and inclusive membership that reflects LGPS Central’s increasingly diverse operating region. Diversity includes, but is not limited to, gender and ethnicity. It includes all strands of diversity, including skills, experience, diversity of thought, geographic and socio-economic background, disability and sexual orientation. LGPS Central welcomes applications from a diverse range of individuals. The organisation is especially keen to attract candidates from, or with, a strong connection to, the region covered by the LGPS Central Pool.