Job Description

Independent Chair – Pensions Oversight Board | 10874 | 4 Year Appointment | Approximately 18 days per year (including meetings, preparation and training) | Allowance - £7,914 per annum plus relevant expenses | In person and virtual meetings / events

About the Opportunity

Norfolk Pension Fund (NPF) is seeking to appoint an Independent Chair of the Pensions Oversight Board.

The role of the Board is to help NPF ensure that the Fund complies with legislative requirements and any requirements of the Pensions Regulator and secure the effective and efficient governance and administration of the Fund.

The role comes at an important time for the LGPS, with ongoing developments in the LGPS pensions landscape placing increasing emphasis on governance, compliance and transparency. As Independent Chair, you will play a key role in supporting the Fund to meet these evolving expectations while maintaining high standards of governance and accountability.

About Norfolk Pension Fund

The Norfolk Pension Fund is responsible for the management, administration and delivery of the LGPS in Norfolk. Administered by Norfolk County Council, the Fund serves over 436 participating employers and approximately 100,000 members and beneficiaries, with assets of over £6 billion.

Independent Chair Role

The Independent Chair is a non-voting role that provides leadership and direction to the Pensions Oversight Board, enabling it to fulfil its statutory responsibilities. There are six other members of the Board, who represent respectively the Fund’s members and their employers. These other posts are voting Board members.

As Chair, your role will be to ensure that meetings of the Board are properly conducted and that all views are fully heard and considered. The Chair will be expected to use their specific skills, knowledge, and experience to help the Board to undertake its role. This will involve scrutinising Board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, and ensuring that the Board has in place the training and support required to enable Board members to effectively undertake their duties. The Board’s terms of reference is available on our website here - Local Pension Board Terms of Reference v5 Sept 2025 | Norfolk Pension Fund

Key Responsibilities

The Independent Chair will:

• Provide effective leadership of the Pensions Oversight Board, supporting its role in assisting the Administering Authority to secure compliance and ensure effective governance of the Fund
• Set and manage meeting agendas, together with senior Fund officers, ensuring appropriate focus on key risks, governance and regulatory matters
• Chair meetings to promote balanced discussion, effective scrutiny of Board papers and clear outcomes
• Ensure the Board operates in accordance with its Terms of Reference and LGPS regulatory requirements, recognising its oversight and advisory role
• Facilitate consensus and ensure recommendations, actions and concerns are clearly articulated and recorded
• Enable the Board to act as a constructive ‘critical friend’, supporting effective governance, oversight and decision-making processes
• Present updates on the Board work programme to Pensions Committee and represent the Board at forums and events
• Work closely with the Pensions Committee, LGPS Senior Officer and other senior officers to support effective governance and oversight
• Monitor the implementation of Board recommendations and ensure appropriate follow-up and escalation where required
• Promote high standards of transparency, accountability and reporting
• Uphold the Nolan Principles of Public Life and ensure compliance with the Fund’s Conflict of Interest Policy
• Support the effectiveness and ongoing development of Board members, including engagement in training

Qualities expected of the Chair

Essential

• Proven experience of chairing boards, committees or governance bodies
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to facilitate discussion and influence outcomes
• Ability to provide independent judgement and constructive challenge
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Strong understanding of governance, risk and assurance frameworks
• Commitment to high standards of integrity, probity and public service values

Desirable

• Knowledge of the LGPS or wider pensions environment
• Understanding of pensions legislation and regulatory requirements
• Experience in audit, risk, financial management or investment oversight
• Experience of working with public sector organisations
• Previous involvement in pension boards, trustee boards or similar bodies

Independence

Applicants must be able to demonstrate independence from the Norfolk Pension Fund and its participating employers or trade unions who represent the interests of members of the Fund and must not have any conflicts of interest that would prevent them from undertaking the role. (Pensioner or deferred members of the Norfolk Pension Fund are not disqualified from applying merely because of their membership.)

Time Commitment

The Board meets four times a year with additional time required for:

• Preparation and review of papers
• Training and development
• Discussion with officers as required

The Independent Chair is also required to attended and present an update on the Board’s work programme to Pensions Committee four times and participate in other Fund related forums and events.

The total time commitment is expected to be approximately 18 days per year.

Allowance

The role attracts an allowance of £7,914 per annum, plus reasonable expenses.

Why Join Us?

This is a rewarding opportunity to:

• Provide independent leadership at a pivotal time for the LGPS
• Influence governance and compliance at a strategic level
• Contribute to a fund serving a large and diverse membership
• Work collaboratively with experienced Board members and officers

How to Apply

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact:

Eunice Walcott eunice.walcott@norfolk.gov.uk

To apply, please submit:

• A CV
• A covering statement outlining how you meet the requirements of the role

Closing date: 2 August 2026 23:59