The Southwark Council Pensions Advisory Panel is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 23 September 2025 to discuss a range of topics related to the management and performance of the council's pension fund. These include updates on investment performance, responsible investment, and the fund's carbon footprint, as well as more general updates on pensions services and cash management policy. Some of these items will be discussed in closed session, excluding the press and public.

Asset Allocation Update

The panel is scheduled to receive an update on asset allocation. Asset allocation is an investment strategy that aims to balance risk and reward by dividing a portfolio's assets among different categories, such as stocks, bonds, and real estate¹. The report pack includes a document on this topic, but it is not clear what specific aspects of asset allocation will be discussed.

Quarterly Investment Update

David Cullinan from Aon is scheduled to present the quarterly investment update to the panel. Aon is a global professional services firm that provides a range of financial risk-mitigation products, including investment management and pension administration². The report pack includes a document on this topic, but the closed minutes will also include a discussion of this topic.

Carbon Footprint Update

The panel is scheduled to discuss an update on the carbon footprint of the pension fund. This likely relates to the council's commitment to responsible investment and its efforts to reduce the environmental impact of its investments. The report pack includes a document on this topic, but it is not clear what specific aspects of the carbon footprint will be discussed.

Responsible Investment General Update

The panel is scheduled to receive a general update on responsible investment. This could cover a range of topics, such as environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors in investment decisions, engagement with companies on sustainability issues, and the fund's overall approach to responsible investment. The report pack includes a document on this topic, and the closed minutes will also include a discussion of this topic.

Refresh of Pension Fund Cash Management Policy

The panel is scheduled to discuss a refresh of the pension fund's cash management policy. This policy likely outlines how the fund manages its cash reserves to ensure liquidity and maximize returns while minimizing risk. The report pack includes a document on this topic, but it is not clear what specific changes to the policy will be discussed.

Fit for the Future Update

The panel is scheduled to receive an update on the 'Fit for the Future' programme. The report pack includes a document on this topic, and the closed minutes will also include a discussion of this topic.

Other items

The agenda for the meeting also includes the following items:

• Voting and Engagement Activity: The panel is scheduled to discuss voting and engagement activity.
• Stewardship Code: The panel is scheduled to discuss the Stewardship Code. The Stewardship Code is a set of principles for institutional investors, such as pension funds, that aims to promote responsible investment and engagement with companies³.
• Local Pension Board Update: The panel is scheduled to receive an update from the Local Pension Board.
• Pensions Services Update: The panel is scheduled to receive an update on pensions services.