The Access Pool has appointed Stafford Capital Partners and J.P. Morgan Asset Management (JPMAM) as timber managers, following a review carried out by Apex Investment Advisory.

The total mandate size across both components will be around £300m, with the potential to grow in future.

Two of the Access authorities currently invest in timber, with the new investment coming from the authorities who previously did not have an allocation.

Stafford Capital Partners invests in core timberland through the Stafford International Timberland, which focuses on operational timberland estates and primarily accesses investments through off-market secondary transactions.

Meanwhile, JPMAM, through its timberland investor and forestry management company Campbell Global, provides access to a real assets strategy that offers diversified exposure to core timberland assets around the world, whilst aiming for a negative carbon footprint.

Access’ global timberland impact allocation will go to the Stafford Carbon Offset Opportunity Fund, which establishes new commercial timberland estates, generating a return that includes a supply of high-quality carbon offsets for clients.

Commenting on the appointment, Access Joint Committee chairman, Mark Kemp-Gee, said: “We have been exploring ways to include natural capital investments in our portfolio as we continue to diversify our private markets allocation, while also moving closer to net-zero targets.

“Timberland ticks all these boxes, and we are delighted to have chosen two market-leading investment partners in this field for the benefit of our partner funds and members.”

The Access Pool includes 11 Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) administering authorities: Cambridgeshire County Council; East Sussex County Council; Essex County Council; Hampshire County Council; Hertfordshire County Council; Isle of Wight Council; Kent County Council; Norfolk County Council; West Northamptonshire Council; Suffolk County Council; and West Sussex County Council.

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