LGPS Central, the £30bn investment pool for eight UK local authority pension funds across the midlands, has appointed Richard Law-Deeks, currently chief executive officer of the Royal Mail Pension Plan, as its new CEO.

Law-Deeks comes to the pool with a wealth of pension fund, investment and Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) experience, having spent the early part of his career in local government in pensions and wider finance role at Hackney Council and Hertfordshire County Council.

At LGPS Central, Law-Deeks will work with partner funds, the board and Central’s expert team of colleagues to set and deliver the future direction of the pool in the wake of the government’s consultation response in 2023, the pool announced.

John Burns, deputy CEO and chief operating and financial officer, had been interim CEO since May 2023 when Mike Weston announced his departure after four years with the pool.

The appointment will start in the early summer, subject to regulatory approval.

Joanne Segars, chair of LGPS Central, said: “We’ve achieved much over the past five years, but there’s much more for us to do. Now is a critical time for LGPS pooling. Richard’s experience of pensions and the LGPS and his focus on partner funds will help deliver the right investment opportunities and cost savings and steer our further success and growth.”

Law-Deeks added: “While there are challenges ahead, there are also opportunities, and I am excited to be helping to deliver cost savings and superior investment returns for our partner funds which in turn can have a positive impact on public finances and services in the midlands.”

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