ACF launches partnerships with Mercer, CCLA and Aon to equip foundations with investment knowledge
19 March 2026
The Association of Charitable Foundations (ACF) has strengthened the expertise available to its members by continuing its partnerships with CCLA and Mercer and launching a new collaboration with Aon.
The partnerships will bring leading expertise in investment to ACF’s 430-strong membership of UK charitable trusts and foundations, who collectively invest billions of pounds in endowment assets and distribute significant funding to communities and causes across the UK and internationally each year.
In a period marked by market volatility, inflationary pressure on endowments and growing expectations around mission-aligned investment, foundations are increasingly balancing financial stewardship with social and environmental impact. Through its partnerships with Aon, CCLA, and Mercer, ACF will offer members practical insight and learning opportunities on topics including endowment management, sustainable spending policies, responsible investment, stewardship and organisational resilience.
Mercer, ACF’s investment advisory partner for seven years, will continue to contribute expertise on investment governance, portfolio construction and long-term asset allocation. Mercer is a global leader in risk, reinsurance and capital, people and investments, and management consulting, advising clients in 130 countries. With extensive global investment research and experience advising charitable investors, Mercer supports foundations in navigating complex markets while considering how investment strategies can align with charitable missions and long-term spending needs.
CCLA, the UK’s largest asset manager dedicated to charities, religious organisations and local authorities, will continue its decades-long partnership with ACF, bringing deep, practitioner-led insight into charity investment management and long-term stewardship. With decades of experience working exclusively with mission-driven investors, CCLA has worked with ACF for many years supporting foundations in aligning financial returns with their charitable purpose. CCLA is widely recognised for its leadership in responsible investment and stewardship, including sustained engagement with companies and policymakers on issues such as climate change, modern slavery, mental health and corporate governance – helping foundations act as effective long-term owners of capital.
ACF is also pleased to welcome the global firm Aon as a new partner. Aon brings extensive expertise in investment advice and is committed to helping not-for-profit organisations fulfil their mission by building resilient portfolios and aligning their investments with their purpose. As foundations face an evolving investment landscape, Aon will support ACF members with insight into emerging risks and practical approaches to strengthening the resilience of their investment portfolios and helping them deliver better outcomes.
Carol Mack OBE, chief executive of ACF, said: “Trusts and foundations are stewards of significant long-term resources that underpin vital work across our communities. At the same time, they are operating in a rapidly changing context – from economic uncertainty to rising expectations around responsible investment and transparency. Our partnerships with Mercer, CCLA and Aon will ensure our members can access high-quality expertise and insight to help them steward their endowments responsibly and sustain their grant-making for the long term.”
Andrew Robinson MBE, head of market development at CCLA, said: “Charities and foundations rely on strong stewardship of their assets to fund their work today and into the future. We are proud to continue partnering with ACF to support its members with insights from our experience managing charity investments and leading engagement on key responsible investment issues including climate change and modern slavery.”
Victoria Marsh, not-for-profit business development lead, UK for Aon, said: “The UK’s charity sector plays a pivotal role in strengthening communities and driving meaningful social change. Having seen at first hand how ACF supports its members, I’m pleased that Aon is partnering with them. Together, we will help charities navigate a complex investment landscape with practical insights and approaches that build resilient, long-term portfolios and help them deliver better outcomes.”
Natalie Yapp, head of endowment and foundations at Mercer, said: “As a partner of ACF for seven years, we have seen first-hand the real benefit these charitable foundations make for communities across the UK and internationally. These organisations are grappling with some of the biggest issues in our society and are trying to do so while they are navigating a complex world. The support and expertise we bring helps their members to make the right decisions to generate sustainable returns, while aligning with their missions. We look forward to working with ACF and its members.”
Representatives from CCLA, Mercer, and Aon will contribute to ACF’s programme of member events, briefings and learning opportunities over the coming year. Trusts and foundations are invited to attend ACF’s investment seminars in June or November, led by our Official Partners alongside our corporate partners Bates Wells and Farrer & Co.
About the Association of Charitable Foundations (ACF)
ACF is the leading membership association for charitable foundations and independent grant-makers in the UK. Our members include many of the UK’s largest independent funders as well as a wide range of family, corporate and community foundations. ACF supports members through policy engagement, research, peer learning and collaboration, helping foundations to be ambitious and effective in their philanthropy.
About Mercer
Mercer is a business of Marsh (NYSE: MRSH), a global leader in risk, reinsurance and capital, people and investments, and management consulting, advising clients in 130 countries. With annual revenue of $27bn and more than 95,000 colleagues, Marsh helps build confidence to thrive through the power of perspective. For more information about Mercer, visit mercer.com, or follow us on LinkedIn and X.
About CCLA
CCLA is the UK’s largest asset manager focused on serving charities, religious organisations and local authorities. With a heritage stretching back over 60 years, CCLA manages investments on behalf of thousands of charities and public sector clients, combining long-term investment management with active stewardship. CCLA is known for its leadership in responsible investment and for using its voice as a long-term investor to engage with companies and policymakers on issues that matter to clients, including climate change, social justice and good governance.
About Aon
Aon plc (NYSE: AON) exists to shape decisions for the better — to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Through actionable analytic insight, globally integrated Risk Capital and Human Capital expertise, and locally relevant solutions, our colleagues provide clients in over 120 countries with the clarity and confidence to make better risk and people decisions that protect and grow their businesses.
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