UK – The South Yorkshire Pensions Authority, which manages £2.7bn (€4bn) of assets, is looking for an investment manager following the departure of one of its six-strong investment team.

Sharon Smith, who is responsible for equities at the authority, told IPE that the recruitment is due to the fact that manager Jane Firth has left the authority to have a career change.

Smith explained that the authority runs assets on behalf of the South Yorkshire Pensions Authority’s pension fund and the pensions scheme of the South Yorkshire Passengers Transport Authority, which was split from the main fund after privatisation.

The right candidate for the position must work within an investment or financial environment and must have the Investment Management Certificate (IMC) preferably with an additional investment qualification or at least four years relevant experience.

Smith said the authority invests 60% in equities, 25% in bonds 10% in real estate and the balance in alternative investments such as private equity and hedge funds.

Last February South Yorkshire Pensions Authority became the first pension fund to invest in invested in a Guernsey-domiciled fund of hedge funds vehicle launched by Hermes Pensions Management.