Asset Owners Network
The A4S Asset Owners Network brings together chairs of major pension funds around the world to accelerate the integration of sustainability into long-term strategic and investment decision making. It is an invitation-only, non-commercial forum designed to support open discussion, peer learning, and practical action on long-term financial risk, governance and stewardship.
Established in the UK in 2018 and expanded into mainland Europe in 2024, the Network connects pension leaders representing a collective €1.2 trillion of assets under management. Members share common challenges and a commitment to building more resilient, sustainable portfolios.
What the Network offers:
- A confidential, chair-only environment for frank conversations, sharing experiences and exploring emerging approaches to long-term sustainability challenges
- Regular virtual and in-person meetings, with agendas set and co-chaired by members, and contributions from leading experts, policymakers and regulators
- Peer-led learning, grounded in real practice and tailored to the strategic issues faced by pension fund chairs
- Access to case studies and guidance tailored for chairs and trustees, through our Pension Toolkit
- Access to the wider A4S global community, including CFOs, regulators and leaders from across the financial system and real economy
Network leadership
The Chairs of the UK and European Chapters help steer a forward-looking agenda focused on resilience, long-term value and real-world impact.
The European Chapter of the Network is currently co-chaired by:
- Joanne Kellermann, Chair of PFZW (Netherlands)
- Vincent Lidsky, President of ERAFP (France)
The UK Chapter is currently chaired by:
- Brendan McCafferty, Chair of Nest Pensions (UK)
Former Chairs include Russell Picot, former Chair of HSBC Bank (UK) Pension Trust and Deputy Chair of USS, and Catherine Claydon, Chair of BBC Pension Trust.
Global scope and membership
The Network brings together senior decision-makers from large pension funds across Europe and the UK and is expanding to reflect the global nature of sustainability-related risks and opportunities. Members represent a diverse mix of defined benefit and defined contribution schemes, across public and private sectors, collectively managing over one trillion in assets.
The value of the A4S Asset Owners Network
Our members value:
- Being a chair-only network, providing a unique and valuable space to share and have peer-to-peer discussions without the presence of asset managers or commercially-interested representatives.
- Increasing network members’ confidence and knowledge, enhancing their engagement with their own investment managers and advisers on embedding sustainability into the investment decision process.
- Enabling growth of knowledge within their pension funds through the topics and ideas discussed and expert presentations made.
- The educational resources and peer examples available in the A4S Sustainability toolkit for Pension Chairs and Trustees.
- The opportunity to leverage the collective voice of the pension chair community as key influencers across the investment chain, in order to further advance the integration of sustainability.
Joanne Kellermann, Chair of PFZW
"During meetings of the Asset Owners Network we have candid conversations in a safe space, where we exchange best practices, feel free to share dilemmas and ask for advice."
Russell Picot, former Chair of the HSBC Bank (UK) Pension Scheme, and current Deputy Chair of USS
“The A4S Asset Owner Network has provided me with a unique space to explore – in an open and non-commercial setting – some of the most significant challenges that I face as a chair of a large pension scheme. Some of the most important issues that we are now facing are in relation to long term systemic risks such as climate change and loss of nature. The great strength of the network is that all of the board chairs openly share their thinking and strategies which is particularly valuable for tackling these emerging issues where there are no proven strategies or answers that can be readily adopted."
