Councillor Rishi Madlani

Rishi Madlani's council service, spanning 13 years up to 2026, has been characterized by a consistent and evolving focus on financial stewardship, responsible investment, and committee leadership, with a pronounced emphasis on the Pension Committee's activities in recent years.

Recent Activity and Evolving Priorities (2025-2026): Madlani's most recent engagement in 2026 saw him chairing the Pension Committee in March, where he meticulously managed meeting proceedings, including announcing live broadcasts and ensuring consent for filming. He also demonstrated procedural leadership by proposing and securing agreement to vary the order of business. His membership on the Culture and Environment Scrutiny Committee in the same month, though less detailed, indicates continued breadth of involvement.

In 2025, Madlani was a highly active participant, particularly as Chair of the Pension Committee. His priorities clearly centered on responsible investment, actively addressing petitions concerning investments in conflict zones like Gaza and initiating reviews into the fund's holdings and policies. He championed transparency, stating the intention to disclose investments in conflict zones and explore this as a responsible investment policy area. His oversight of the Independent Fund Review and the public availability of Pension Fund holdings further underscore this commitment. Beyond pensions, he celebrated LGBT+ History Month events and engaged with budget and constitutional matters. His personal concern for international conflicts and promotion of peace also emerged.

Consistent Areas of Interest and Evolution (2014-2024): Across his tenure, Madlani has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to the Pension Committee, often serving as its Chair. His early years (2014-2018) show a foundational engagement with financial oversight, ESG principles, and committee management. In 2018, he presented the Pension Fund Annual Report, highlighting its growth and diversified strategy, while emphasizing ESG commitments and fiduciary duty. By 2019, his focus on ESG intensified, advocating for transparency in investment strategies and reduced fossil fuel investments. The period from 2020 to 2022 saw a significant deepening of his commitment to climate action and responsible investment. As Chair of the Pension Committee, he was a vocal advocate for integrating climate risk and ESG into the fund's strategy, pushing for divestment from fossil fuels and greater transparency in reporting. He also consistently raised concerns about gender diversity within investment teams.

His involvement in the Culture and Environment Scrutiny Committee has been a recurring theme, with notable engagement in 2022 on environmental issues like cycle lanes and tree planting. His participation in council meetings, including voting on financial matters and declaring interests, has been a constant throughout his service.

Key Themes and Priorities:

• Pension Fund Management and Responsible Investment: This has been the most prominent and consistent theme throughout Madlani's service, particularly in his leadership roles within the Pension Committee. His focus has evolved from general financial oversight to a deep engagement with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, ethical investments, and climate action.
• Transparency and Accountability: Madlani has consistently advocated for greater transparency in council and committee proceedings, particularly regarding investment holdings, policies, and fund manager performance.
• Committee Leadership and Procedural Management: His role as Chair of the Pension Committee has involved significant procedural leadership, from managing agendas and deputations to ensuring the smooth running of meetings and the broadcast of proceedings.
• Environmental and Social Concerns: While often framed within the context of investment, Madlani has shown a clear concern for environmental issues, climate change, and social equity, including gender diversity and addressing international conflicts.

Most Significant Contributions (Recent Years): In 2025 and 2026, Madlani's most significant contributions lie in his proactive approach to responsible investment within the Pension Fund. His initiation of reviews into investments in conflict zones and his championing of transparency regarding these holdings are particularly noteworthy. His procedural leadership in the Pension Committee in 2026, ensuring efficient and transparent meeting conduct, also stands out.

Evolution of Focus: Madlani's focus has evolved from a broader engagement with council matters and financial oversight in his earlier years to a highly specialized and impactful role within the Pension Committee. His commitment to ESG and responsible investment has deepened significantly, moving from a general awareness to actively driving policy and transparency initiatives. The recent emphasis on conflict zone investments and the meticulous management of committee proceedings highlight a maturing and increasingly impactful leadership style.

Patterns and Consistent Areas of Interest: The Pension Committee has been the bedrock of Madlani's council work. His dedication to scrutinizing financial matters, advocating for ethical investment practices, and ensuring robust governance has been unwavering. His consistent declaration of interests and recusal from discussions where conflicts might arise demonstrates a strong commitment to ethical conduct and transparency throughout his service.