Invitation: LAPFF Roundtable on Socio-Economic Diversity: 23 March @ 3pm (f you are an LGPS officer, pension committee or board member or an advisor please join us next week) Dear LAPFF members, I am writing to you to remind you of the Round…Read more…
LAPFF Conference 2021: Day One
Day One of the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum Annual (LAPFF) conference started with a welcome by our Chair, Cllr Doug McMurdo.
First item was a blended panel on the Local Government Pension Scheme APPG (all Party Parliamentary Group) report…Read more…
LAPFF at Thirty
I am currently in Bournemouth for the 30th annual conference of the Local Authority Pension Fund. I am one of its Vice Chair’s. This 6 minute video was produced to celebrate the history of LAPFF and a reminder of the good work it has done over the years/Read more…
“Engaging for Change” – Local Authority Pension Fund Forum Conference 2021
On Wednesday I arrived in Bournemouth for our annual conference (which was cancelled last year due to Covid-19) looking forward to the next 3 days of pretty non stop pension and investment debates, sharing of ideas and presentations #nirvana.
Read more…
Socio-Economic Diversity Taskforce Networking Breakfast
This morning I had an early start to make my way to a “Networking Breakfast” at Mansion House in the City of London. This was the first such physical breakfast event I have attended since the start of the pandemic. Dispite the recent concerning n…Read more…
“Can Scotland deliver a just transition to net zero” LAPFF fringe at SNP conference 21
This evening I took part in a panel discussion at a SNP conference virtual fringe hosted by the Smith Institute and supported by the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (LAPFF).on “Just transition”. I took part in my capacity as a Joint Vice Chair…Read more…
Taskforce to boost socio-economic diversity at senior levels in UK Financial and Professional services
HM Treasury and the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy(external link) have commissioned the City of London Corporation to lead an independent taskforce to boost socio-economic diversity in UK financial and professional services.
…Read more…
Colombian worker perspectives from Cerrejón Coal mine – LAPFF webinar
Last week I chaired this webinar on behalf of the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (LAPFF). While it can at times be tough being a trade union activist in this country it is nothing to the perils and physical dangers facing Colombian trade unions.&nb…Read more…
LAPFF Webinar Colombian worker perspectives from Cerrejón Coal mine
Next week I will chair this LAPFF (Local Authority Pension Fund Forum) webinar which is aimed at investors. If you wish to join please apply here
LAPFF webinar highlights video 2020 Dec 2-4
Check out highlights of the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum virtual conference for 2020 (only 1 minute 40 secs). Despite the challenges of online webinars there was a number of excellent speakers and lively panel debates.
Check out some provoc…Read more…
“Mike Ashley blocks Labour councillor from Sports Direct board meetings after Corbyn row”
Hat tip Laura Onita Telegraph
“Sports Direct tycoon Mike Ashley has blocked a Labour councillor from joining the retailer’s board meetings after a spat with Jeremy Corbyn.
The billionaire wrote to John Gray, who is also the vice-chair of the Loca…Read more…
“What next for responsible investment in the LGPS?” Professional Pensions 25 Sept 2019
Recently there seems to have been a surge in interest in responsible investment, also known as ESG, in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) world. My email inbox is filled with invites to meet advisers or attend seminars and conferences on t…Read more…
Labour Party Conference 2019: Tuesday #Lab19 (Twitter)
We will only be able to keep global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels if we effect unprecedented transitions in all aspects of society, including energy, land and ecosystems, urban and infrastructure as well as industry’
https://ipc…Read more…
Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (LAPFF) Executive Induction
Today I went on an induction to the LAPFF Executive following my election as Joint Vice Chair.
I used to be on the LAPFF Executive in 2013/2014 and it is good to be back.
LAPFF represents 80 UK Council pension funds and 6 Collective investment pools …Read more…
Record recruitment figures announced at UNISON NEC meeting (and I am standing next year for another term)
I really enjoyed this UNISON NEC meeting and I thought the debates and discussion was mostly excellent. I had to leave slightly early to go to LAPFF Pension conference but was pleased that we managed to grow as an union and that we should have a fairer…Read more…
LAPFF Chair Cllr Ian Greenwood RIP
I was at a Newham Pension training last night and was shocked to hear of the death of Cllr Ian Greenwood.
I have known Ian for many years and he was a superb chair and Pension activist. A true friend as well of the trade union movement both here and ab…Read more…
West Ham Ward Councillor Report 7 December 2017
Councillor Report to Ward 7 December 2017 WEST HAM WARD LABOUR PARTY
tel: 0203 373 2615 or email John.Gray@newham.gov.uk
This is my bi-monthly written report. In October both I and my fellow ward member, John Whitworth, attended and passed …Read more…
#LAPFF Annual Conference – Wednesday.
Last week I went to the annual conference of the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (LAPFF).
I missed the first day (Wednesday) but below is an excellent report on the day by guest blogger John Walker who is a UNISON member and sits on the Cambridgesh…Read more…
Sports Direct: Treating workers like dirt is bad for business (and investors)
I was pleased that UK Council leaders are supporting the resolution at the Sports Direct AGM next week for a review of its HR practices. UNISON staff pension fund have backed this campaign via the TUC organised Trade Union Shareholders Organisation. &n…Read more…
Councillor report to West Ham Ward: February 2015
This is my written report as a Newham Councillor to West Ham ward Labour Party branch which meets every month. The ward thought to save time they would prefer written reports from Cllrs of which they could then ask questions.
Councillor Report to W…Read more…