Railpen appoints Julia Diez as Head of UK Productive Assets

10 September 2025 – Railpen, one of the largest pension managers in the UK and responsible for managing £34 billion of assets on behalf of over 350,000 members, is pleased to announce the promotion of Julia Diez as Head of UK Productive Assets.

10 September 2025

In her new position, Julia will be responsible for directing the strategic vision and execution of Railpen’s productive asset portfolio, with a particular emphasis on UK innovation focused investments. She will also coordinate efforts across real estate, infrastructure, and other private market assets. Julia will collaborate closely with both public and private sector partners to promote growth, enhance value creation, and support long-term sustainability throughout Railpen’s UK investment activities, working on behalf of the railways pension schemes Trustee and contributing to our mission of securing our members’ futures.

Railpen, on behalf of the railways pension schemes, has been a decades-long investor within the UK – with a holistic multi asset approach spanning infrastructure, property, and public and private equity – with over a third of AuM invested domestically. 

Anna Rule, Director of Private Markets and Real Assets, said: “Julia’s promotion is based on her experience in investment management and her involvement in advancing innovation and growth. She will take a leading role in supporting our strategy to achieve returns for our members and contribute to the UK economy.”

Julia has experienced in capital deployment and portfolio management as well as knowledge of the UK investment sector. She has worked collaboratively with stakeholders and supported the growth of companies such as CMR Surgical, Oxford Nanopore, and IP Group.

Julia Diez said: “I’m delighted to take on this role at such an exciting time for UK productive assets. Railpen’s mission to deliver secure, affordable and sustainable futures for members of the railways pension schemes reaches beyond providing financial security in retirement, but considers the world they’ll retire into. An important part of that is a strong, stable economy in the UK.”