Independent Person
Independent PersonIndependent Person
Independent Person
Fund: Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF)
Location: Guardsman Tony Downes House, Droylsden
Working Pattern: Estimated 30 working days over the year
Indicative Term: 4-year term, with the possibility of serving 2 terms
Salary: To be agreed on appointment
Job description and person specification
Who we are looking for
We are seeking an individual with significant expertise in pension fund governance, investment, administration, regulation or a related field who can provide objective challenge and independent insight.
About GMPF
Greater Manchester Pension Fund, administered by Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council, is among the largest Local Government Pension Schemes in England and Wales, with approximately £35.2 billion in assets, 440,000 members, and 800 employers as of 31 March 2026.
GMPF’s governance arrangements include the Pension Fund Management Panel, an Advisory Panel, a Local Pension Board, and specialist working groups covering policy and development, investment and ESG, pensions administration, employer funding, and viability. GMPF is a shareholder and client of the Northern LGPS and has a strong, established focus on responsible investment, climate risk, and place-based investment in Greater Manchester and the wider region.
Further information about GMPF can be found in our key policies, reports and statements.
Background to the appointment
The Government’s Fit for the Future agenda and the Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2026 introduce a new statutory requirement for each administering authority to have an independent person advising its pension committee (GMPF’s Management Panel) and the Senior LGPS Officer.
The role is designed to:
- Strengthen governance and scrutiny of LGPS funds
- Provide independent challenge and expertise on decisions, especially around investment, governance and administration
- Support and provide constructive challenge to the Senior LGPS Officer and wider governance arrangements
The appointment of an Independent Person will ensure GMPF maintains and further develops its high standards of governance, while preserving the role and accountability of existing decision-making bodies and officers.
This appointment is as an office-holder and not an employee of GMPF or Tameside MBC.
The role
Role overview
You will be an independent, non-voting adviser to the GMPF Management Panel and be a member of our Governance & Policy Working Group. Your role will be to advise the Management Panel on investments, governance and administration matters.
You will provide objective, expert insight, drawing on your professional experience to offer an impartial perspective on the Fund’s activities. By offering constructive challenge, you will help to ensure that decisions are well-informed, evidence-based and aligned with the long-term interests of GMPF’s members, employers, and other relevant stakeholders.
Time commitments and term
Estimated 30 working days over the year, comprised of:
- Attendance at the quarterly meetings of GMPF’s Management Panel, and some Working Groups
- Regular meetings with the Senior LGPS Officer
- Meeting preparation and report reading
- Commitment to attending training sessions arranged by the Fund
Initial appointment for a four-year term, with the possibility of serving two terms in total, subject to performance review and at the discretion of the Chair
Meeting commitments
As a minimum, you must be able to attend the following committee meetings scheduled for 2026/27 and 2027/28, which are currently planned to take place on:
GMPF Management Panel meetings
- 5 March 2027
- 16 July 2027
- 10 September 2027
- 3 December 2027
- 3 March 2028
Governance & Policy Working Group
- 18 February 2027
- 24 June 2027
- 26 August 2027
- 25 November 2027
- 17 February 2028
Apply today
If you have the knowledge, experience and expertise to excel in this exciting new role, we’d love to hear from you. For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Sandra Stewart, Chief Executive of GMPF by email at sandra.stewart@gmpf.org.uk.
If you believe you can meet the required criteria and are interested in this role, please submit a statement of no more than 2,000 words demonstrating how you meet each of the essential criteria and any desirable criteria you wish to be considered against to careers@gmpf.org.uk.
Applications will be assessed against the essential and desirable criteria within the Person Specification. Therefore, your statement must include a summary outlining how you meet the essential criteria as stated in the Person Specification and demonstrate your suitability for the role.
We expect your application to be submitted by you (a named individual) rather than by an organisation or company. You should only apply if you can commit to the required time obligations and responsibilities.
For more information about GMPF in general, please see our website.
Closing date: 29 October 2026
Interview dates: 16-17 November 2026