Independent Person (Pension Fund) – Non-voting

Kirklees Metropolitan Council; Greater London; On-site; GBP 185,000 - 480,000; Part time

Job summary

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth seek an experienced Independent Person to provide strategic advice at the Pension Fund governance level. This non-voting contract involves attending Pension Committee meetings, scrutinising papers, and offering objective challenge to investments, governance and risk management.

You will work through a contractual arrangement, with independence central to the role and eligibility checks including potential conflicts of

Qualifications

• Significant pensions knowledge and experience; ability to provide evidence-based challenge.
• Familiarity with governance, investments, administration and regulatory frameworks.
• Ability to work with elected members, officers, advisers and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Attend Pension Committee meetings and governance activities.
• Review papers and prepare for meetings.
• Provide independent oversight on governance, investments and risk.
• Scrutinise advice from advisers and providers.
• Support development of Fund strategies and policies.
• Ensure governance remains effective and compliant.

Skills

Pensions governance

Independent scrutiny

Strategic governance

Education

PMI qualification

APPT accreditation

LGPS knowledge

Job description

Independent Person (Pension Fund) – Non-voting

Independent contractual appointment
Initial term: Three years
Remuneration: Fixed rate for meetings and day rate for ad hoc
Location: Wandsworth, London, with in-person attendance required
Closing date: 1st November

Are you an experienced pensions professional with the expertise and independence to provide strategic advice and constructive challenge at board level?

Wandsworth Council, as the Administering Authority for the Wandsworth Pension Fund, is seeking to appoint an Independent Person to support the governance of a £3.3 billion Local Government Pension Scheme fund. In this newly created role, you will provide independent scrutiny, professional expertise and objective challenge to the Joint Pensions Committee, Senior Responsible Officer and asset pool.

This is a non-voting, independent appointment and is not employment with Richmond and Wandsworth Councils. To preserve your independence, you will be engaged through a contractual arrangement, either as an individual or through a limited company or umbrella company, subject to IR35 requirements.

What you’ll do

You will:

• Attend Pension Committee meetings, training sessions and related governance activities.
• Review committee papers and undertake preparation work in advance of meetings.
• Provide independent oversight and challenge on governance, investments, administration and risk management.
• Scrutinise advice and recommendations received from advisers, service providers and London CIV.
• Support the development and review of Fund strategies, policies and governance arrangements.
• Help ensure the Fund’s governance arrangements remain effective, transparent and aligned with statutory requirements.
• Provide assurance through independent and objective challenge on key issues affecting the Fund and its members.

About you

You will bring significant pensions knowledge and experience together with the ability to provide robust, independent and evidence-based challenge.

You will either:

• Hold a relevant qualification from the Pensions Management Institute (PMI);
• Be an accredited member of the Association of Professional Pension Trustees (APPT); or
• Demonstrate extensive knowledge and experience within the Local Government Pension Scheme environment.

You will also have strong knowledge of pension fund governance, investments, administration and the regulatory framework affecting pension schemes, together with the ability to work effectively with elected members, senior officers, advisers and other stakeholders.

Independence

Maintaining independence is fundamental to this role. You must not have any personal, financial or professional interests that could compromise your ability to act impartially.

Applicants must not currently provide, or have recently provided, paid services to the Fund or have connections that could create a conflict of interest. A full independence and conflicts assessment will form part of the appointment process.

Time commitment and remuneration

The appointment is for an initial three-year term, with the possibility of extension subject to performance and governance requirements.

You will be expected to attend meetings in person, undertake preparation work and provide additional support as reasonably required.

Remuneration will be agreed contractually and will reflect the responsibilities of the role and market norms. Reasonable expenses will be met by the Pension Fund.

Company: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Salary: Fixed rate for meetings and day rate for ad hoc

Location: London (South), London (Greater)

Sector: Corporate Services

Sector: Finance

Job Role: Manager