Beverley Brown FRSA

I’ve recently joined the Diversity Project - Investment Industry as an Ambassador for the gender equality workstream. The Diversity Project is committed to building a more inclusive and diverse investment and savings industry in the UK - one that mirrors the society we serve. We support numerous efforts to drive better representation and inclusion across financial services. The impact report 2023-2024 (link below) summarises the impressive progress achieved in recent years, including: - Membership has grown by 20%, now representing 118 firms and 85,000 employees. - Over 27,000 people have benefitted from our six core programmes, which have supported women in leadership, promoted flexible working, and created pathways for underrepresented groups. - We’ve developed 25 best practices, guides, and resources to help firms embed diversity and inclusion into their culture. - Pathway programme - aiming to develop more female fund managers: From the 60 participants in the first cohort in 2023, 28 have already been promoted, 12 to portfolio manager or adjacent roles. This year we have 80 women on the programme from over 40 companies.   - We’ve also partnered with Oxford Brookes University Business School to develop an accreditation framework to recognise firms making real strides in diversity. The investment sector needs more diversity and we recognise that diversity isn’t a box-ticking exercise; it drives better decision-making, innovation and enables for sustainable business on the long-term. If you’re in the investment industry and want to learn more, check out our impact report below or feel free to reach out. Report:

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‘Mega funds’ ! 🚀 Chancellor’s plans for the "biggest pension reform in decades" which has the potential to be a game-changer for UK pension savers, economic growth and investment. 🚀 Tonight in her Mansion House speech Rt Hon Rachel Reeves will announce that her pension reforms will create new ‘mega funds’ - by consulting on consolidating DC schemes into a minimum size and acceleration of Local Government Pensions Scheme pooling. Scale, concentration of expertise and diversification are the key to term growth and delivering significant benefits for UK pension savers - https://lnkd.in/eWFV8Pig Today, 97% of pension capital invested in UK-led #venturecapital and #privateequity are from outside the UK—only 3% is UK pension savers’ money. These reforms are a vital step towards reversing that trend and securing UK-led growth for UK investors. Reacting to the announcement, BVCA Chief Executive Michael Moore said: “These reforms are a hugely welcome sign that the Government intends to take important long- term decisions to boost investment and growth. “A minimum size threshold for Defined Contribution pension schemes will be a welcome move that allows UK pension savers to enjoy the benefits of scale needed to support better governance, investment expertise and the diversification of their portfolios. “Larger, consolidated pension schemes have greater opportunity to invest in higher growth assets, like private capital funds that drive investment into exciting UK businesses whilst delivering strong-returns for pension savers. So, moving quickly from consultation to concrete proposals and implementation will be key. “We strongly support greater, more effective pooling in the Local Government Pension Scheme. This should be a key source of capital for fast growing businesses and start-ups. It is also right that there should be provision to ensure that the LGPS can invest more in growing the UK’s regional economies.”

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With M&A activity increasing, UK DB pension schemes are finding themselves with a wider array of choices. Improved funding positions and new innovations are making previously difficult or expensive options much more accessible https://ow.ly/WWXN50TvIea #pensions #retirement #DefinedBenefit #MergersAndAcquisitions #WTWPerspective

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Interesting article in Civil Society Media Ltd by Sir Stuart Etherington on how a future government could work with civil society to unlock more philanthropy and social investment for public benefit. No question that both the need these days and the potential are significantly large for doing more and doing it differently. The challenge to those of us working in this area both in government and outside is to come together and create solutions that work. At Big Society Capital that is our aim so anyone interested in connecting on this do let me know.

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Reflections on 12 months in the CIO seat - A year ago I joined the team at People’s Partnership with a simple idea - that a small focused team of investors working with purpose and conviction could re-write the script for UK asset owners, just as the Master Trust space was getting to scale. I’m grateful that Patrick and the board backed that vision! It was a big step up for me in my career. We’re still on a build, a work in progress with lots to be done. But I’m super proud of what we’ve managed to achieve over the last year bringing together a diverse, seasoned group of investors steering the People’s Pension toward £30bn and beyond. Thank you to my great team as well as all of our support teams at People’s Partnership and all of you out there who have responded helpfully to our questions and enquiries! A few earlyish reflections and lessons learnt - Face to face brings the magic. Bringing all 20 of us together face to face twice a week in one room to scan ahead, take decisions and get aligned has been essential to moving at pace. Dare I say it’s also quite … fun? Energising? It’s not just about sitting there in the office it’s about being thoughtful about how we come together and use that time. And pastries + coffee, of course. Personality matters. Ever-evolving challenges of bringing diverse personalities together as a team has fascinated me for years. I tend to hire in my own personality mould, which has its benefits and drawbacks. Focus. There’s always a dozen things we **could** do, but to make any real progress we have to pick the two or three that move the dial, prioritise and get good and saying “no” or “not now” to others. The struggle is real! Ownership. Being really clear on who’s job it is to do what then standing back and enabling/supporting them to deliver gets things done. Obviously it’s essential to be working with great people you can trust to do that. Implementation matters. Coming from a consulting background I knew this would be one of the areas I had most to learn. Investment ideas are only as good as the implementation so you have to constantly have an eye to this. Learning from others - I’ve got a huge amount out of speaking with other CIOs, especially overseas, even quite short conversations. Constant planning and forecasting is vital. Not because the plans and forecasts are right (they are usually wrong and can be very wrong ) but the discipline and habit associated with the planning process is so valuable. So much great work remains to be done, let’s do this! Here’s to small teams doing important work

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If you are looking to understand how to support your teams in this current period of unrest I penned some thoughts for PA Future.

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“Money doesnt recognise geography” This is a session hosted by national and international #investors at #climb24 We have over 200 investors from all over the world coming to find great businesses to invest in - and none of them care where they are based I am never going to complain about more money being invested in the region but #founders need to get their businesses in a shape to compete for investment on a national and international level The UK is the 3rd largest country for VC so we do have money on our doorstep Equally with our partners Department for Business and Trade we will be talking about how both funds and businesses can access international investment The challenge i think is that often businesses in the north just dont know what is available and how to access it Join us at climb24 on 5th and 6th june to lean - honestly everything you need is on your doorstep!!! And a ticket is less than the price of a train to london and a hell if a lot more fun !!!! UBS British Business Bank Innovate UK Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Department for Business and Trade VeUP Barclays Eagle Labs Squire Patton Boggs Lloyds Banking Group Mishcon de Reya LLP West Yorkshire Combined Authority Leeds City Council South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Nexus Leeds Leeds Digital Bobble AI Bionow GreenTech Gathering EHE Ventures Sure Valley Ventures Balderton Capital Beringea Eka Ventures Redrice Ventures Newlab Fuel Ventures 🚀 IQ Capital Albion Capital Group LLP YFM Equity Partners Foresight Group Equity Gap Par Equity River Capital Development Bank of Wales Oxx MERCIA INVESTMENTS LIMITED Maven Capital Partners Teampact.ventures Start Codon

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There was such fantastic energy at London’s Guildhall this morning for the launch of the Impact Investing Institute’s latest research into the size and progress of the UK impact investing market. Thank you to the hundreds of people who joined us in person and online. I hope it left you as engaged as it did us. The report is a rare piece of good news in a world that feels far too short on it. It tells the story of an £80 billion market growing 10% yearly when UK managed assets as a whole have been declining. But more importantly, it tells the story of a field achieving real-world impacts and sustainable financial returns across the breadth of the country and beyond — and a movement that is evolving, innovating, expanding, and becoming ever more central to our financial system. Of course, there is so much further to go and no time to waste. What today’s report tells us is that the journey is well underway, and that we need to continue to drive it forward with urgency, intention, and collaboration. Let's keep the momentum going! You can read the Institute's report here (https://lnkd.in/ezuM5Jwg) and our op-ed in Impact Investor here (https://lnkd.in/ePT2dZcR). #impactinvestment #impacteconomy Impact Investing Institute | Social Finance | The Global Impact Investing Network | City of London Corporation | Department for Culture, Media and Sport | Caroline Haines | David Krivanek |  Jamie Broderick | Henry Kippin The North East Combined Authority | Michele Giddens Bridges Fund Management Ltd. | Minal Patel Schroders Greencoat LLP | Bella Landymore | Sally Bridgeland Brunel Pension Partnership Limited | Veronica Humble NatWest Cushon | Danielle Walker-Palmour Friends Provident Foundation | Niranjan Sirdeshpande M&G plc | David Blood Generation Investment Management

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I am a trustee of The Migraine Trust and I am looking to secure votes for a chance to win a share of £60,000 in grants from The Giving Circle. Can you help by voting and encouraging other to vote too by sharing on your social media feeds? Migraine is a long term health condition suffered by one in seven people in the UK. Migraine attacks are complex, severe and painful, affecting the whole body and can stop you functioning normally. Individual experience of migraine will be unique to each person, but common symptoms include  head pain, problems with sight, being very sensitive to light, sounds and  smells, fatigue, and feeling and being sick. Can you help make a difference by voting for The Migraine Trust? It's free, only takes a moment, and you can also vote for up to three other charities at the same time. Together, we can create a better world.  Vote here: https://lnkd.in/gVCmz2J3 #MyGivingCircle

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Thanks, Lucy Blythe for highlighting this resource from Association of Charitable Foundations to enable foundations to understand and reflect on the origins of their wealth, especially related to the transatlantic trafficking of enslaved African people. Per ACF, "Our Origins of wealth toolkit sets out the historical and present-day context in which many foundations and other institutions are choosing to research and publish connections between wealth origins and money from enslavement and make changes as a result." While we cannot necessarily change the past, we can (and should) reflect on how we can make changes in the here and now.

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Exciting insights from the Bank of England! This article underscores the importance of FMIs adopting a high level of discipline to navigate disruptions effectively, considering their pivotal role as the backbone of the financial industry. I see this expectations as a significant stride toward enhancing operational resilience across the entire ecosystem beyond the banks themselves. #OperationalResilience #FinancialIndustry #FMIs #thoughtleadership #operationalriskmanagement

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Excellent analysis here of the UK public sleepwalking into a downturn in UK prosperity because there is a lack of understanding of what they are voting for ! There is a short time to ensure there is understanding which may then have influence.

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Ethnic minority entrepreneurs – from Black, Asian and other minority groups – contribute an estimated £25 billion to the UK economy annually. Despite this significant economic impact, our 2023 report found that Ethnic Minority-Led Businesses (EMBs) face barriers to accessing the finance they need to grow and flourish. I am proud to announce that The Lending Standards Board is developing a first-of-its-kind inclusive Code to drive the much-needed improvements in access to finance for EMBs. This is a major step forward in ensuring the financial services sector better serves the UK’s diverse business landscape. Firms signing up and embracing the Code, coming in 2025, will be leading the way on inclusion and innovation, being at the helm of essential changes that will boost trust between the #FinancialServices sector and EMBs. Discover more here: https://bit.ly/3XzqVp0 Diana Chrouch OBE #FinancialInclusion #Diversity #InclusivityToAll

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As part of London Climate Action Week, Ben Palmer, Senior Portfolio Manager, took part in two panel discussions at the Reset Connect conference this week.   The first discussion focused on the four new FCA Investment labels, looking at how these can be incorporated into the advice process and the longer-term benefits that the new label regime will bring for investors and advisers.   The second panel discussed the FCA’s new Sustainable Investment Fund Rules with a focus on greenwashing regulations. Topics emphasised the need to understand nuances in sustainable investing when discussing with clients and how the rules will help financial advisers, wealth managers and clients alike in ensuring clarity.   #ClimateActionWeek #SustainableInvesting 

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A robust strategy with solid numbers, over the years. Stability and flexibility for the long term…

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I found our Seizing Uncertainty research really insightful, and much of it hit home for me. In particular, the idea that uncertainty isn’t just something to fear, but something that can lead to real opportunities.   If there's one thing I've learned through my own experience, it's that trying to control every outcome just adds more stress. Instead, leaning into uncertainty has helped me see things differently, and made me more resilient. Our new study looks at how embracing change and uncertainty can actually lead to growth; even by simply adapting our mindset, there's a lot of power in being open to what comes next.   It’s a thought-provoking study for me and I thought others might find it valuable too. If you're feeling stuck or overwhelmed by all the change around us, this is a great reminder that uncertainty doesn’t have to be the enemy.   #Growth #Resilience #Opportunity #Change #SeizingUncertainty #HSBCGlobal

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As a Diversity Project - Investment Industry Ambassador, I'm proud to announce that the application process for the 2025 DP Pathways Programme is open. ➡ If you are an investment firm in the UK and are keen to find more ways to retain and promote your emerging female investors, then look no further than the Diversity Project - Investment Industry's 2025 DP Pathway Programme. More details on how to apply below ⤵ #diversitymatters #globalfemaleinvestorsnetwork Global Female Investors Management, LLC

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Thanks to the Hertfordshire Pension Fund team and their advisers for recognising the economic risks today and the future risks to their portoflio associated with climate change and environmental degradation . This is no longer debatable (just ask the unfortunate residents of Florida ) , but managing environmental risks in a portoflio is a complex challenge and should if implemented correctly also target and provide economic upside. We appreciate your foresight , support and interaction over the past year. This sees our UK local authority AUM surpass £1 billion, a great responsibility and privilege to manage. #climatechange #assetmanagement #lowcarbon

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I always get asked how people can support Beyond Education (BE). Here's how: 1️⃣ Introduce me to a relevant contact in your organisation That’s what Vania did with Octopus Energy, who are now attracting more diverse talent all-year round through Beyond Education! Relevant contacts include: → Head of DEI → Head of Early Careers → Head of Talent Acquisition → Head of Employer Branding Or anyone with these terms in their job title. 2️⃣ Follow our social channels (link in the comments) → Website w/5000+ Members (Goal 20k)  → TikTok w/22,000+ Followers (Goal 100k) → LinkedIn w/15,000+ Followers (Goal 100k)  → Youtube w/ 1900+ Subscribers (Goal 20k) → Newsletter w/5000+ Subscribers (Goal 20k) We have 43,000+ followers across our digital channels. We are looking to hit 200,000+ by the end of the year 🚀 3️⃣ Engage with our content (this post included) → Like for the algorithm 👍 → Repost to your network♻️ → Let’s get chatting in the comments 💬 That’s literally it! It’s that simple! --- To make this easy, I’ve created a simple 1-page summary on Notion. With intro templates, helpful links & relevant details to help more underrepresented talent access opportunities with inclusive employers 🚀 Access the 1-pager here: https://lnkd.in/ePriwAuQ Thanks in advance 🫡

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