Brian Bailey, director of pensions at West Midlands Pension Fund, has announced his retirement after 40 years' service with Wolverhampton City Council.

Appointed as a trainee accountant in August 1972 after obtaining a degree from Birmingham University, Mr Bailey occupied various accounting positions after qualifying as an accountant in 1976. Mr Bailey was appointed assistant director of housing in November 1982, and then deputy director of finance in June 1987 before taking up the post of director of finance in September 1988. He managed a range of services with the council until April 2008, when a restructure led to his appointment as director of pensions.