This summer the PLSA brought the LGPS community together once again to connect, discuss and learn to tackle the unique challenges and opportunities for a scheme like no other. 

Pensions for Purpose's CEO, Charlotte O'Leary, and Mark Gross, Partner & Head of Development Capital at Downing, presented the 'Localising returns: the strategic value of place-based impact investing for LGPS' session during the afternoon, chaired by George Dollner, Policy Lead at the PLSA.

Charlotte spoke about the strategic value of place-based impact investment (PBII) and referenced the 2021 paper on scaling up institutional investment on PBII putting forward a 5% allocation. A proposal the Government has taken up and is now being implemented by local government pension schemes (LGPS) funds and pools, including South Yorkshire Pensions Authority with whom Pensions for Purpose worked to help create their PBII allocation.

Charlotte emphasised the importance of impact integrity and alignment when working with private capital to address social, environmental and economic risks and opportunities.