Asset pooling
Border to Coast investment pool
On 1 April we became a shareholder in Border to Coast Pensions Partnership, now the UK’s largest investment pool, along with pension funds in Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, East Sussex and West Sussex. This takes the total number of partner funds to 18.
This decision follows new government requirements for LGPS funds to invest through Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulated asset pools.
Government did not support plans for ACCESS, our previous asset pool, to become an FCA-regulated investment management company.
Why We Chose Border to Coast
We undertook detailed due diligence throughout 2025, assessing governance strength, operational capacity, investment performance potential, and alignment with local priorities. Following extensive due diligence, we felt that the Border to Coast partnership was the best option for the Fund. The final decision to become a shareholder was ratified by Cambridgeshire County Council/West Northamptonshire Council following a vote at full Council.
Border to Coast’s model — with funds as equal shareholders — ensures that Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire will continue to influence strategic priorities while benefiting from shared expertise and reduced investment costs.
Meeting Government Expectations
The expansion aligns with the UK Government’s Fit for the Future agenda, which aims to deliver:
- stronger governance
- deeper investment capability
- better access to alternative assets
- improved cost efficiency
- more resilient long‑term returns for LGPS members
