Episode 362: Richard Law-Deeks, CEO of LGPS Central: Change for Good - The Promise of Partnership

Richard Law-Deeks is Chief Executive Officer of LGPS Central, which, following its current expansion, will be responsible for over 100 bn GBP in pooled local authority pension fund assets. Prior to joining LGPS Central in 2024 he was CEO of the Royal Mail Pensions Trustees Ltd. and prior to that held a series of financial roles, mostly within the local government sphere.  We start our discussion with his early study of political science and the rooting in public service that came from his parents. We hear then about his various stepping stones to his current role, many of which involved steep learning curves, change - of both the positive (expansion) and negative (contraction) variety and the public service driver that underpinned many of them.  We move then to his current role at LGPS Central, itself the center of huge structural change and we discuss in detail the governance complexities that the new structures present, but hear from Richard why he is very optimistic about the new provisions. We reflect on the enduring appeal of public service, the importance of coaching and what he considers to be his own leadership style. This is a rich and multi-layered discussion that is an honest assessment of the uncertainties that present a moments of great change and the tactics to push through them.  This podcast is kindly sponsored by Benefit Street Partners and PIMCO. Founded in 2008, Benefit Street Partners – BSP – is Franklin Templeton’s specialised private credit manager with $92 billion in assets under management.    The firm provides a wide range of private credit strategies across the US, Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific, including direct lending, special situations, commercial real estate debt, infrastructure debt, asset backed finance, structured credit and liquid credit.   PIMCO (Pacific Investment Management Company LLC) is a premier global investment management firm founded in 1971, specializing in active fixed-income with over $2 trillion in assets under management. Headquartered in Newport Beach, California, it offers diversified investment solutions across public and private markets, serving institutional and individual investors worldwide.