Independent Governance Group (IGG) has launched a trustee-led Project Management Office (PMO) to support pension schemes and sponsors undertaking complex strategic projects.

The service will support projects including risk transfer transactions, run-on strategies, scheme mergers, governance reviews, provider transitions and rectification exercises. Led by IGG head of project management office, Stephanie Jenner, the team has more than 45 years of combined experience in pensions project management, with all members accredited under PRINCE2. IGG said the PMO would act as a central point of coordination between stakeholders, helping schemes establish objectives, plans, budgets and governance frameworks while managing risks and dependencies. Support will range from project oversight and governance assistance to full end-to-end project delivery. Jenner commented: “Successful delivery depends on much more than good technical advice. It requires strong coordination, clear accountability and effective oversight. “By combining project management expertise with first-hand experience of trusteeship and pensions governance, we navigate all types of projects with greater clarity, confidence and control.”

Fidelity International has launched a London-focused bond strategy after securing a £40m seed mandate from the London Borough of Bromley Pension Fund.

The London Bond Strategy will invest at least 80 per cent of its portfolio in investment-grade issuers that contribute to London’s economy and infrastructure. Its investment universe will cover “core London assets”, including organisations supporting the capital’s physical and social infrastructure, and “London economic anchors”, comprising major employers and businesses contributing to economic activity. The strategy will be managed by Fidelity portfolio manager, Ian Fishwick, alongside co-portfolio managers, Kris Atkinson and Shamil Gohil. It will draw on Fidelity’s global fixed-income team, which manages around $100bn across investment-grade credit, high yield, sovereign debt, emerging-market debt and multi-sector strategies. Fidelity International head of EMEA institutional, Tom Jeffery, said: “Local Government Pension Schemes are increasingly looking for investment solutions that deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns while investing in the communities they serve.” London Borough of Bromley Pension Investment Committee chair, Cllr Sumeet Jalan, added that the strategy would provide access to a diversified investment-grade credit portfolio focused on organisations playing an important role in London’s economy.

Aegon is extending access to its Mylo digital pension service to more than 200,000 additional Aegon master trust members.

The rollout will take place across participating schemes during July, providing members with access to the app’s digital guidance, personalised support and pension management tools. Aegon noted that Mylo had received more than 50,000 pension consolidation requests since its launch less than a year ago, while members had also completed more than 40,000 beneficiary nominations. The service is intended to help workplace pension members understand and manage their retirement savings through a mobile-first experience. Aegon head of master trust, Antonia Balaam, said: “This rollout extends the reach of Mylo to over 200,000 additional members, giving more people access to the same intuitive digital experience that’s already helping workplace pension savers engage with their retirement savings.” She stressed that the expansion would provide members with a consistent Mylo experience regardless of the platform on which their pension was administered.

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