One of the UK’s largest Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) funds, West Midlands Pension Fund (WMPF), has joined the Pensions Management Institute’s (PMI) Development Partnership programme.

WMPF, which manages £21bn in assets on behalf of more than 360,000 members, said its participation formalised its commitment to professional development, governance excellence, and long-term talent growth across the organisation.

The move comes amid intensifying regulatory expectations and rising demand for higher-skilled workers across the pensions industry.

LGPS funds in particular are facing increased scrutiny of governance standards, transparency, and member outcomes, placing renewed emphasis on investment in people and capability as a strategic priority.

The Development Partnership programme, launched by the PMI in November last year, is designed to support organisations in embedding structured learning pathways, strengthening technical expertise and building future talent pipelines across pensions administration, governance and investment functions.

At launch, the Local Government Association (LGA), Barnett Waddingham, Aptia, and Equiniti Retirement Solutions were named as the first Development Partners.

Commenting on the latest addition, PMI chief customer officer, Varsha Gicas, said: “We are delighted to welcome WMPF as a Development Partner.

"Their scale, ambition, and longstanding commitment to high-quality governance make them an important voice within the LGPS community.

"As regulatory expectations continue to evolve, the need for robust professional standards has never been greater.

“This partnership reflects a shared belief in the value of continuous learning and in building a strong, diverse pipeline of pensions professionals who can support the sector for decades to come.”

WMPF deputy director of pension operations, Amy Regler, added: “This partnership with the Pensions Management Institute marks an important step for WMPF.

"We have invested in professional development for many years, and formalising our relationship through the Development Partnership reinforces our commitment to technical excellence, strong governance and building capability across our teams.

“It also strengthens the pathway for new talent entering the pensions industry, helping to ensure we continue to deliver high standards for our members and employers.”

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