Insight Exchange: Priya Nair

Interviewee:

Priya Nair
Treasury and Pension Fund Manager
London Borough of Camden

LAPF Investments speaks with Priya Nair to discuss some of the issues shaping the sector

Priya is a finance professional with more than 14 years of experience ranging from Reinsurance Accounts, Risk Management, and Financial Management. She is currently Treasury & Pension Fund Manager at the London Borough of Camden.

How can a fund have a policy which is genuinely individual to them, but which can still be achieved through their pool?
This remains one of the most pressing issues for both funds and pools. Each administering authority has its own democratic mandate, risk appetite, and policy nuance, yet pooling was designed to capture scale and efficiency – not erase individuality.

Full bespoke solutions for every fund are neither cost-effective nor operationally feasible. The path forward lies in pooled structures with a strong common core – governance, data standards, stewardship reporting – supported by optional “floating” layers where funds can express additional ESG or ethical preferences.

There is also a long-term dimension to consider. As the government’s pooling mandate evolves, it may ultimately steer the LGPS towards greater policy alignment – potentially even a unified framework across pools.

This isn’t an immediate concern, but it’s worth keeping in mind. Funds should continue to define policies that reflect their values, while recognising that the ability to remain “genuinely individual” may narrow over time as structural reforms deepen.

What are the challenges funds are facing?
Funds are currently grappling with two intersecting challenges. First, the government’s pooling mandate still leaves uncertainty around where operational and governance responsibilities will sit once full pooling is achieved.

Second, increasing scrutiny on responsible investment – particularly around conflict exposure – has intensified expectations for policy robustness. The balance of accountability between funds and pools is shifting, but the framework for delivery is still evolving.

This is a pivotal moment to design solutions that meet both regulatory direction and the sector’s broader ethical and fiduciary responsibilities.

How are the pools engaging with funds to help them deliver their RI policies (examples of best practice)?
Many pools now facilitate group workshops, one-to-one discussions, and training for committee members. These exchanges help funds refine their RI policies while allowing pools to capture diverse priorities across their membership.

By synthesising these discussions, pools gain a unique perspective on emerging themes – such as conflict risk, biodiversity, and social equity – which informs their collective engagement strategy.

This two-way process ensures that fund-level expectations are understood, shared, and reflected in the broader stewardship agenda of the pool.