Independent Person (Local Government Pension Scheme)

Job Introduction

Independent Person (Local Government Pension Scheme)

This advert is not for a directly employed role - the Independent Person will not be an employee of the Royal Borough of Greenwich.

The Royal Borough of Greenwich Pension Fund is seeking to appoint an experienced Independent Person to support the effective governance and oversight of the Fund, working closely with the Pension Fund Investment and Administration Panel (the Panel) and the Senior LGPS Officer.

This is a non-voting appointment established in line with the requirements of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) (Amendment) (Governance) Regulations 2026. The Independent Person will provide independent challenge, professional insight and scrutiny across investment, governance, administration and wider LGPS responsibilities. 

Applications are encouraged from suitably qualified individuals and firms; where a firm applies or is appointed, a named individual from that firm must be identified to undertake the role.

How You Will Contribute

The role has been established in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) (Amendment) (Governance) Regulations 2026 for the appointment of an Independent Person.

Investment and Funding

• Provide independent insight, scrutiny and constructive challenge to the Pension Fund Panel and officers. 
• Review and challenge reports, advice and recommendations from officers, advisers, actuaries, investment consultants, investment managers and London CIV. 
• Support the Panel in overseeing the Fund's investment strategy, funding strategy, investment performance, responsible investment approach and pooling arrangements. 
• Contribute to the review and development of Fund policies and strategies.

Pension Administration

• Support oversight of pension administration performance, regulatory compliance, risk management and service improvement.

Governance

• Provide independent challenge and assurance on the Fund's governance arrangements and governance improvement initiatives.
• Support the Fund in maintaining high standards of transparency, accountability and decision-making.

Other Responsibilities

• Work constructively with the Chair of the Pension Fund Panel, officers and, where appropriate, the Local Pension Board to support effective governance and oversight.
• Prepare for meetings by reviewing reports and identifying areas for challenge, assurance or further enquiry. 
• Maintain high standards of integrity, confidentiality, impartiality and professional conduct.
• Provide independent perspectives and challenge to support effective decision-making and the discharge of the Fund's LGPS responsibilities.
• Undertake any other activities reasonably required to support the effective governance and administration of the Fund.
• Review the Fund's policies and strategies, providing independent challenge and assurance.

What You Will Bring

• Significant senior-level experience in pensions, investment, governance, audit, finance or a related professional field
• Strong understanding of the governance, funding, administration and investment arrangements of occupational pension schemes, preferably including the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Experience of providing independent advice, assurance, scrutiny or constructive challenge to boards, committees, trustees, elected members or senior executives.
• Ability to review and interpret complex investment, actuarial, regulatory and governance information and provide clear, objective and independent views.
• Good understanding of current developments affecting the LGPS, including pooling, governance reform, responsible investment and regulatory requirements.
• Strong analytical, communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to challenge appropriately and support effective decision-making.
• Ability to act with integrity, independence, impartiality and sound judgement.
• A relevant professional qualification or equivalent experience in pensions, investment, governance, audit, legal, financial or related disciplines is desirable.

Independence, Eligibility and Conflicts

• The Independent Person will be appointed in a non-voting capacity and must act independently of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, the Pension Fund's advisers, service providers and London CIV. The role requires the provision of impartial, objective and evidence-based challenge, support and assurance.
• Applicants must declare any actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest as part of the application process. The successful candidate will be required to comply with the Fund's governance and conflicts of interest arrangements, including the ongoing declaration of interests.
• Applicants must not hold any position, appointment or financial interest that could reasonably be considered to compromise, or be seen to compromise, their independence in carrying out the role.

Time Commitment and Terms of Appointment

• Expected time commitment of approximately 10 to 15 days per year, including meeting preparation, attendance at meetings, training and engagement with officers as required. 
• Attendance at Pension Fund Panel and Local Pension Board meetings, training sessions and other meetings as required. Pension Fund Panel and Local Pension Board meetings are held in person and attendance is expected.
• Some meetings may require in-person attendance.

Remuneration

• The appointment will be made for an initial term of three years, subject to annual review. 
• Remuneration will be agreed as part of the appointment process and paid on a day-rate basis. 
• The rate will reflect the responsibilities of the role, the skills and experience required, and comparable LGPS appointments. 
• This is not an employment position and the Independent Person will not be an employee of the Royal Borough of Greenwich.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit the following documents by email to Pension-Board@royalgreenwich.gov.uk by the closing date:

• A covering statement of no more than two A4 pages setting out your suitability for the role.
• Details of how you meet the requirements of the position, including relevant knowledge, skills and experience, together with any relevant professional qualifications, accreditations or memberships.
• A current CV.

The covering statement should clearly demonstrate your ability to provide independent challenge, assurance and support in relation to LGPS governance, investment, funding and administration matters.

Closing Date for Applications: Midnight on 17 November 2026

Interview Date: Week commencing 23 November 2026 (interviews are expected to be held in person) Location: Royal Borough of Greenwich Town Hall, Wellington Street, London SE18 6PW

Please note: This appointment is made under a contract for services and is not an employment position. The Independent Person will not be an employee of the Royal Borough of Greenwich.

Diversity Statement: Royal Borough of Greenwich values the diversity of its community and aims to have a workforce that reflects this. We therefore encourage applications from all sections of the community.

Advert Close: All vacancies close at midnight unless otherwise stated. 

Early Advert Close: Royal Borough of Greenwich reserves the right to close any job advert earlier than the advertised closing date where there is reason to do so (for example high volume of applications).

Our Staff Values: Our Staff Values are important to us. Candidates will be continuously assessed against our staff values throughout the recruitment process. Where candidates demonstrate views and behaviours that do not meet the standards of our staff values, we reserve the right to reject their application/ registration.