Published: September 26, 2025
As the 2025 LAPF Investments Awards approach, we hear from two category sponsors – Mercer and Natixis Investment Managers – who discuss their motivations for being part of the awards, why it’s important to celebrate excellence in the LGPS, and what developments in the LGPS they are most excited about.
Tony English, Head of LGPS Investment, Mercer
What inspired Mercer to sponsor the LGPS Governance Award category, and how does it reflect your values or expertise within the LGPS or wider investment community?
As highlighted by the Fit for the Future consultation, good governance of LGPS funds and pools is crucial for delivering success. Underlying funding/investment/covenant and overall risk management strategies will need robust governance arrangements, with clear accountability across all stakeholders including committees, boards, officers, pools and service providers. It’s important therefore that the LAPF Investments Awards recognise those funds who are demonstrating high standards of governance and are in a strong position to meet the challenges that lie ahead. Through our multi-disciplinary advisory teams, we stand ready to continue to support the sector and meet the challenges of the evolving LGPS landscape.
What are you most looking forward to about this year’s Awards, and why do you think it’s important to celebrate excellence in the LGPS?
2025 has been a year of significant upheaval for the LGPS, particularly in England and Wales. The awards will provide an opportunity to gather with peers and to reflect on developments so far and to discuss what’s next for the sector. Underpinning the LGPS is a community of dedicated individuals working extremely hard, day in day and day out, to deliver pensions to its members, in a manner that is sustainable for employers. In times of significant change, it is even more important to recognise excellence to ensure a clear vision of what “good” looks like and encourage further innovation.
Looking ahead, what developments or trends in the LGPS or institutional investment space are you most excited about, and how is Mercer preparing to support them?
Many funds are now in the enviable position of managing surpluses. Mercer has developed a surplus management framework to consider funding and investment issues holistically across employers. We also anticipate a continued focus on UK productive finance. Mercer has advised the LGPS on more than £5 billion of such investments over the last five years and continues to seek attractive new investment opportunities. Finally, given pooling consolidation, we anticipate an increased focus on asset transitions and pool oversight. Across our global advisory and fiduciary investment capabilities, Mercer stands ready to assist the LGPS sector as required at this time of change.
Will Fox-Robinson, Director of UK Institutional Business and Head of LGPS, Natixis Investment Managers
What inspired Natixis Investment Managers to sponsor the LGPS Investment Strategy of the Year award category, and how does it reflect your values or expertise within the LGPS or wider investment community?
The LGPS funds and pools have distinct investment objectives, and at Natixis Investment Managers, we are here to support our clients in achieving them. Drawing on the diverse expertise and perspectives of more than 15 experienced active investment managers we deliver a wide range of solutions across asset classes, styles and vehicles all designed with one end goal in mind – yours. As one of the world’s largest asset managers, we oversee more than £1.1 trillion in assets under management (as at 31 March 2025).
Sponsoring the Investment Strategy of the Year award category highlights the critical role of innovation and effective investment thinking. Our commitment reflects our deep expertise in providing bespoke LGPS investment solutions, combining global resources with local insights to drive meaningful outcomes for our clients.
What are you most looking forward to about this year’s Awards, and why do you think it’s important to celebrate excellence in the LGPS?
We’re most looking forward to spending time with our industry colleagues and celebrating the collaborative culture of the LGPS, as well as the individual achievements of the funds, pools, and people. Celebrating excellence is important as it acknowledges the hard work, teamwork, expertise, and skills that contribute to these accomplishments.
Looking ahead, what developments or trends in the LGPS or institutional investment space are you most excited about, and how is Natixis Investment Managers preparing to support them?
The government’s September deadline has passed, and now funds and pools face the challenges of forging new partnerships, evolving structures, and transitioning assets whilst all the time delivering for members and employers. Being creative, being innovative and evolving is what the LGPS has been very successful at. While challenges lie ahead, there are also significant opportunities to build on the successes that funds and pools have achieved.
With a focus on local and responsible investment, we maintain an active long-term investment perspective that enables us to navigate a complex political, economic, and social landscape. Above all, we remain excited and committed to partnering with the LGPS.
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