Northern LGPS appoints Councillor Gerald Cooney as its new chairman

Councillor Gerald Cooney has been named chairman of the Northern Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) pool.

Councillor Cooney is vice deputy of Greater Manchester Pension Fund, and a member of Tameside Council, the Fund’s Administering Authority. Councillor Cooney represents the Droylsden West ward, and serves as an Executive Member for Economic Growth, Employment and Housing.

He assumes his new role with immediate effect, replacing Paul Doughty, who was appointed on an interim basis in January 2019 following the death of former chair Ian Greenwood.

In his new role, Councillor Cooney will be supported by Councillor Brenda Warrington, chair of the Greater Manchester Pension Fund, Councillor Pat Cleary, chair of Merseyside Pension Fund and Councillor Andrew Thornton, chair of West Yorkshire Pension Fund.

Councillor Cooney said: “It’s a privilege to take over as chair, and I look forward to continuing the work of my predecessors in ensuring that Northern remains the most cost-effective and efficient local government pension scheme, with a simple but democratic governance structure that delivers sustainable financial returns to ensure our members enjoy a decent and dignified retirement, and guaranteeing affordability to employers and taxpayers alike.”

Northern LGPS is the largest of eight local government pools set up to drive down costs and improve efficiencies for five million former and current council workers. It is committed to the highest standards of governance, asset safety and transparency in reporting. In January 2019, it launched its ground-breaking responsible investment policy with a strong emphasis on environmental, social and governance issues.