L&G appointed investment manager for Queen’s University Belfast general reserves, endowment and pension plan
Legal & General (‘L&G’) has been appointed by Queen’s University Belfast to manage assets for the University’s general reserves and endowment as well as its open defined benefit pension plan. The holistic mandate that L&G will oversee will total over £300 million.
As one of the UK’s largest asset managers of pension schemes and charity assets, L&G is well positioned to provide a holistic solution to meet Queen’s University Belfast’s needs. The overall mandate will be managed by L&G’s Delegated Solutions (OCIO) team and covers multiple asset classes, internal and third-party capabilities.
Responsible investing is core to L&G’s investment approach, enabling L&G to create an equity index strategy to meet the University’s objectives, and extend it to the pension plan too. The solution draws upon L&G’s expertise in bespoke index management and investment stewardship, incorporating L&G’s ESG scoring methodology and dedicated climate engagement programme, the Climate Impact Pledge, as well as a decarbonisation pathway.
The mandate builds on L&G’s long heritage of working with charities and endowments as well as pension schemes to develop solutions which aim to meet investment and ESG requirements for the long-term and implementation services to streamline governance.
L&G’s appointment follows comprehensive tender processes with requirements to align the University’s investment strategy with its Responsible Investment Policy and a manager to implement a strategic and operationally efficient solution.
This mandate win demonstrates strong client trust in L&G’s Delegated Solutions offering, which brings together L&G’s full suite of capabilities across asset management, alongside a bespoke client service.
Mark Johnson, Head of UK – Institutional & Wholesale, Asset Management, L&G, said: “We are delighted to be entrusted by Queen’s University Belfast to invest their assets for the long-term financial security of the University and its pension obligations. This partnership demonstrates our commitment to provide holistic solutions for our clients, enabling them to focus on the issues that matter to them and their stakeholders.”
Tim Dougall, Head of Delegated Solutions, Asset Management, L&G, said: “Our integrated investment platform allows us to deliver tailored multi‑asset solutions that align core investment strategies with environmental, social and governance objectives. We look forward to a close collaboration with Queen’s University Belfast, supporting their long‑term financial goals while fully integrating sustainability requirements.”
Professor Sir Ian Greer, President and Vice-Chancellor, Queen’s University Belfast, said: “This partnership is a significant step in our commitment to enhancing impact as outlined in our Strategy 2030 while meeting our financial objectives responsibly. This will be central to our ambition of achieving net zero emissions by 2040, enabling us to manage portfolios effectively while embedding sustainability at its core.”
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Notes to editors
Established in 1836, L&G is one of the UK's leading financial services groups and a major global investor, with £1.2 trillion in total assets under management (as at FY25) of which c. 43% (c. £0.5 trillion) is international. We have a highly synergistic business model, which continues to drive strong returns. We are a leading player in Institutional Retirement, in Retail Savings and Protection, and in Asset Management through both public and private markets. Across the Group, we are committed to responsible investing and dedicated to serving the long-term savings and investment needs of customers and society.
L&G's Asset Management business is a major global investor across public and private markets, with £1.1 trillion in total assets under management (as at HY25) of which c. 43% (c. £0.5 trillion) is international. Our clients include individual savers, pension scheme members and global institutions.
We provide investment solutions from index-tracking and active funds to liquidity and liability-based risk management strategies.
Our investment philosophy and processes are focused on creating value over the long term. We believe that incorporating financially material sustainability criteria, when relevant to our clients, can create value and drive positive change. This reflects L&G’s purpose: ‘Investing for the long term. Our futures depend on it.