Border to Coast Pensions Partnership, one of the UK’s largest pension pools, has appointed Joe McDonnell as its new chief investment officer.

McDonnell has extensive investment experience, most recently serving as managing director, head of portfolio solutions at Neuberger Berman, where he focused on designing and overseeing multi-asset mandates, engaging with strategic partners, and identifying solutions for clients.

He has held several other investment leadership roles, including 10 years at Morgan Stanley where he had several Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) clients and, before that, managing the internal asset management businesses for Shell and IBM’s pension funds.

“Having watched Border to Coast develop over the last four years, I’m excited to be part of its journey. It has established a reputation as an effective and responsible investor on behalf of its LGPS funds, and I look forward to ensuring Border to Coast continues to offer robust, innovative and sustainable investment opportunities,” McDonnell said.

Rachel Elwell, chief executive officer of Border to Coast, said: “Joe has a range and depth of experience that will be hugely valuable as we continue to develop the propositions to support the needs of our Partner Funds. He is a significant addition to an already strong team, and I am pleased we continue to attract colleagues of this calibre to the organisation.”

She added: “I’d also like to thank John Harrison, our interim CIO, for his support and leadership in our development. He has given the team a strong foundation as we continue our journey, for which both the Board and I personally are hugely grateful.”

McDonnell has been awarded the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is an associate trustee/investment committee member of Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH).

Harrison will continue to act as an adviser to Border to Coast.

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