Faith Ward, a recognized expert in responsible investment, has taken on a strategic adviser role at Local Pensions Partnership Investments (LPPI), the local authority asset pool announced on Monday.
From Brunel to LPPI: A career shift
Ward previously served as chief responsible investment officer at Brunel Pension Partnership, an asset pool that closed at the end of last month. After Brunel’s shutdown, she founded Faith In RI, a consultancy focused on responsible investment, and LPPI marks her first formal appointment beyond that venture.
The LPPI website now hosts Brunel’s climate and sustainability policies and reports covering a decade of the former pool’s operations, preserving the legacy while signaling a new direction.
“I’ve been very impressed by LPPI’s work to date across all areas of responsible investment and look forward to helping the growing team further enhance its offering to partner funds,” Ward said in a statement. “As the LGPS continues to evolve through greater collaboration, there is a real opportunity to strengthen responsible investment practices and deliver even better outcomes for members.”
Related: Pension transfer delays to be slashed by trusts
What the advisory role entails
LPPI says Ward will provide strategic guidance and practical support for its responsible investment initiatives, as well as engage in external advocacy activities. The pool’s chief executive officer, Chris Rule, added that the organization “takes its role as a steward of pension fund capital seriously and believes sustainable investment returns are achieved over the long term by integrating responsible investment within our investment activity.”
Rule continued, “Faith is a highly accomplished expert in this field, and we look forward to working with her to realise our ambitions as an enlarged pool.” The advisory position aligns with LPPI’s recent expansion, including a new office in Bristol that already houses the Environment Agency, a partner fund.
Ward’s background includes leading responsible investment work at the Environment Agency Pension Fund, now one of LPPI’s partner funds, and chairing the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change. She received an MBE last year for services to pensions and the environment.
The move comes as the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) seeks deeper collaboration among its constituent pools. By bringing a seasoned voice like Ward’s into its strategic fold, LPPI hopes to reinforce its commitment to climate‑aligned assets while maintaining fiduciary responsibility.
Related: Self employed pension savings in sharp focus
From a practical standpoint, Ward’s presence could mean more robust ESG screening for the pool’s holdings and clearer reporting for members who increasingly demand transparency. Her consultancy experience may also introduce streamlined processes for evaluating climate risk, an area that often feels like a maze for smaller funds.
LPPI’s decision to retain Brunel’s historical policy documents suggests an intention to build on past work rather than start from scratch. This continuity could smooth the transition for member institutions still adjusting to the closure of Brunel’s pool.
While the appointment signals a positive step for responsible investment, the pool’s broader strategy will still depend on market performance and regulatory shifts. Nevertheless, Ward’s role is framed as a bridge between past achievements and future ambitions, a modest but notable development within the LGPS area.
Leave a Reply