AdobeStock
Delivering responsible and sustainable pensions for our beneficiaries
The Pensions Board administers pension schemes for those who have worked or ministered for the Church of England.
As an investor, we are an active owner committed to managing our investments effectively. We seek to maximise long-term investment returns – to enable our members to have a secure financial future. We care about how our investments impact the world we invest in, and the world our members will retire into, and are committed to ethical and responsible investment.
As a Church of England institution, we invest in a way that is consistent with the ethos and ethics of the Church of England, and we are provided with ethical and theologically grounded advice by the ‘Ethical Investment Advisory Group’.
Stewardship is at the heart of our investment approach. We use our voice, votes and build partnerships with other investors seeking real-world impacts on the issues that matter most to our members.
As an investor, we are an active owner committed to managing our investments effectively. We seek to maximise long-term investment returns – to enable our members to have a secure financial future. We care about how our investments impact the world we invest in, and the world our members will retire into, and are committed to ethical and responsible investment.
As a Church of England institution, we invest in a way that is consistent with the ethos and ethics of the Church of England, and we are provided with ethical and theologically grounded advice by the ‘Ethical Investment Advisory Group’.
Stewardship is at the heart of our investment approach. We use our voice, votes and build partnerships with other investors seeking real-world impacts on the issues that matter most to our members.
About investments
Who we are
The Pensions Board’s Investment team includes specialists in investment, operations and ethical and responsible investment. We are a fully integrated function, led by the Chief Investment Officer (CIO) and the Chief Responsible Investment Officer (CRIO) who report to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The Executive report to the Investment Committee which is a sub-committee of the full Pensions Board, which has overall governance responsibilities for the Fund.
Investing for our beneficiaries
Over 44,000 people rely on us to administer their pension. Beneficiaries of our schemes include clergy, lay leaders and support staff, and people who have worked in diocesan offices and cathedrals.
Our investment assets and performance
In 2024, we managed approximately £3.4 billion in pension assets and delivered a 9.4% total return, demonstrating strong financial performance despite challenging economic conditions.
In 2024, we surveyed over 2,500 scheme members and noted the wide support for the Board’s approach to responsible and ethical investment. For example, 93% expect us to invest with the long-term in mind to deliver pension promises; 89% expect us to be a leader in ethical and responsible investment, acting in members’ interests; and 83% expect us to reflect the Church of England’s mission and ethos in the way we invest.
Stewardship is at the heart of our investment approach
We use our voice, votes and build partnerships with other investors seeking real world impacts on the issues that matter most to our members. This video introduces our approach:
How does stewardship work?