Doug Heron, CEO of Lothian Pension Fund (LPF), will be leaving the fund to take up a similar role overseas later in the year, the pension fund announced today.

He will remain in place until the summer, with the pension fund board to begin an external recruitment exercise to find his successor. The fund did not reply to a request from IPE inquiring about Heron’s next move.

Stephen Moir, executive head of resources at City of Edinburgh Council and scheme chair, said that “despite the challenges of the pandemic” Heron “led the fund well through a period of significant and positive change, including the development of the digital strategy, the expansion of investment services offered to other LGPS funds” and an improved funding level.

Heron added: “It’s been a privilege to take the helm at LPF during this challenging but thoroughly rewarding period of growth for the team and for the fund. I’ve come to hold a deep and permanent sense of gratitude and respect for the work our members do to serve communities across Scotland, and it’s been my humble pleasure to have served them by looking after their retirement savings.”

Heron joined the Lothian scheme in February 2019 from Nucleus Financial, an Edinburgh-based wealth and investment platform, where he was chief financial officer and chief operating officer during a four-year spell.

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