Published: November 20, 2025
This week, we welcomed Officers and Committee Members from both existing and incoming Partner Funds to our sixth annual Responsible Investment (RI) Summit. The event brought together the pool and our Partner Funds for a full day of debate and shared insight into the evolving world of responsible investment, examining its challenges, opportunities, and long-term implications for investors.
Nemone Wynn-Evans, our new Chair, opened the Summit by emphasising the increasing importance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations in investment. She outlined the macroeconomic pressures facing investors, noting the need for clarity, resilience, and collaboration in the face of heightened market volatility.
The agenda began with a strategic discussion on LGPS Central’s Fit for the Future programme, exploring how the initiative is designed not only to strengthen operational efficiency but to underpin long-term success. Emphasis was placed on the role of outcome-driven stewardship and consistent frameworks that enable efficient, decisive action across asset classes. Pool leaders reiterated that responsible investment is integral to delivering strong risk-adjusted returns and reflected on the collaborative progress made with Partner Funds to date.
A keynote interview with a global integrated multi-energy company examined the shifting global energy system. Delegates explored the interplay between energy security, affordability, and climate change, and how these forces are reshaping the real economy. The session highlighted that more than four billion people still lack sufficient access to energy, underscoring the scale and complexity of meeting rising global demand while accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy.
A panel on value creation in private markets assessed the role of ESG in supporting business resilience and innovation. Discussions focused on transparency, trust, and the limitations of ESG data, particularly in Real Assets. Panellists noted that thoughtful engagement and robust frameworks provide a crucial safeguard against unexpected risks and support long-term value preservation.
Delegates then explored the shifting landscape of international institutional asset management. Speakers considered how geopolitical developments, regulatory divergence, and evolving market expectations are reshaping responsible investment. While these dynamics present real challenges, they also create opportunities for innovation, differentiation, and more meaningful engagement with emerging themes.
A session on natural capital highlighted the growing financial materiality of biodiversity and nature-related risks. Participants examined the rapid evolution of data and frameworks, including those aligned with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). Opportunities across forestry, regenerative agriculture, and biodiversity-linked investment were discussed as potentially defensive strategies relative to traditional assets.
The Summit closed with a session on local impact investing. Officers and Committee Members explored the importance of robust due diligence, strong governance, and transparent reporting in building confidence. The debate emphasised that place-based investment must deliver measurable community benefits while remaining fully aligned with fiduciary duties and long-term financial outcomes.
Patrick O’Hara, Head of Responsible Investment and Stewardship at LGPS Central, commented:
“A key strength of this Summit is its ability to bring Partner Funds together, including Officers, Committee Members, and practitioners. The level of debate today, particularly around energy transition, natural capital, and local impact, reflects a shared commitment to long-term investing and effective stewardship. The thoughtful questions and contributions from across the pool will help shape our priorities for the year ahead.”
We will continue to build on the insights shared at the Summit through collaborative stewardship, transparent reporting, and a sustained focus on long-term outcomes.
