TIAA-CREF is the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association – College Retirement Equities Fund of North America. TIAA–CREF was created in an Act of the New York State Legislation in 1918 as a stock life insurance company for the purpose of providing retirement pension income for academics in American academic institutions.

 https://www.tiaa-cref.org/public/about-us/investing/financial-investments

With £639 billion under management is one of the largest players in the investment management business.