Tower Hamlets Pension Fund to Divest from Human Rights Violators

31 July 2026

Tower Hamlets Pension Fund is set to divest from companies involved in human rights violations, following a decision by the council's Pensions Committee.

The committee met on Thursday, 30 July 2026, to discuss the divestment initiative, which builds on previous motions passed by the full council and responds to calls from residents and trade unions. A key step in this process will be an audit of the fund's exposure to identified companies, the results of which are expected to be presented to the Pensions Committee at its October meeting.

Councillor Suluk Ahmed, Chair of the Pensions Committee, highlighted the council's ongoing efforts to ensure the pension fund is not invested in companies complicit in human rights abuses. He stated that a letter had been sent to the Head of Pension Treasury and Corporate Director for Resources requesting action on this issue.

Councillor Abu Talha Chowdhury, Cabinet Member for Finance, Assets and Governance, provided further context, outlining the resolutions from a recent full council meeting. These include requesting the aforementioned audit, updating the investment strategy statement, and consulting with trade unions and pension scheme members on divestment. The process for this consultation involves engaging with trade unions representing Tower Hamlets staff and pension scheme members to gather their views on divestment, with the results intended to be reported back to the committee.

Our works, residents and an overwhelming majority of our Council are demanding divestment, Councillor Chowdhury told the committee. Furthermore, there is a growing number of Councils in London that are also moving towards divestment. We must put all our energy together to ensure the divestment happens.

Councillor Jonathan Purcell reiterated the urgency of the matter, citing overwhelming support from the full council and the council's legal obligations. The meeting's agenda and public reports pack can be found on the Tower Hamlets council democracy website.

Agenda frontsheet 30th-Jul-2026 18.30 Pensions Committee Public reports pack 30th-Jul-2026 18.30 Pensions Committee

Councils Involved

Tower Hamlets

Meetings Involved

the Pensions Committee of Tower Hamlets Council on 30 July 2026

People Involved

Colin Robertson Independent Investment Advisor (Pensions Committee)

Steve Turner Mercers - Senior Investment Consultant

Farhana Zia

Paul Audu

Carole S Bowes

Sandeep Chandarana Mercer

John Jones Independent Chair

Ahsan Khan

Thomas French

Richard Ennis

Councillor Suluk Ahmed Speaker of Council Aspire Spitalfields & Banglatown

Councillor Saied Ahmed Cabinet Member for Homebuilding and Enhancing Council Homes and Neighbourhoods Aspire Canary Wharf

Councillor Abu Talha Chowdhury Cabinet Member for Finance, Assets and Governance Aspire Bethnal Green West

Councillor Mohammed Hasan Mahmud Aspire Mile End

Councillor Bellal Uddin Aspire Blackwall & Cubitt Town

Councillor Jonathan Purcell Green Party Bow East

Councillor Victoria Lupton Labour Party St Katharine's & Wapping

Topics

Councillor Suluk Ahmed Abu Talha Chowdhury Councillor Jonathan Purcell divestment initiative Head of Pension Treasury Tower Hamlets Pension Fund Corporate Director for Resources investment strategy statements (ISS)