The deep bench of pensions experts at Burges Salmon LLP ‘collaborates seamlessly’ to support clients on a wide range of pensions issues, including alternatives to buyouts and regulatory matters. The Bristol-based team leverages notable expertise in the public sector, acting on local and central government legal panels for pensions work across the UK and Northern Ireland. At the helm, Richard Knight leads on high-value restructurings for pensions schemes, while the 'excellent' Clive Pugh has expertise in regulatory and funding matters. Richard Pettit is a key contact for resolving systemic errors in pension scheme documentation, Alice Honeywill handles major buy-in projects, and Susannah Young has extensive experience advising clients in the university sector. Promoted to partner in May 2024, Chris Brown leads on pensions matters involving AI, while Michael Hayles specialises in LGPS work. Directors Crispin Freeman and Kate Granville Smith are other names to note.
Pensions in South West
Burges Salmon LLP
Responsables de la pratique:
Richard Knight
Autres avocats clés:
Clive Pugh; Richard Pettit; Chris Brown; Michael Hayles; Alice Honeywill; Susannah Young; Crispin Freeman; Kate Granville Smith
Les références
‘A deep understanding of the client’s needs and foibles.’
‘Clive Pugh and Chris Brown: The deep knowledge one expects from a partner, combined with strong commercial skills and a pragmatic approach to contracts.’
‘Clear and pragmatic advice that is easy to read, digest and implement. Burges Salmon always recommend a solution and clearly articulate the steps to achieve an agreed goal.’
Principaux clients
Honda Group UK Pension Scheme
Trustees of the AT & T ISTEL Pension Plan
Leonardo Pension Schemes
Methodists Ministers’ Pension Scheme and Trustees of the Pension Scheme for Lay Employees of the Methodist Church
Trustees of the London Luton Airport Pension Scheme
Plumbing Pensions Employers Limited
Church Mission Society and Methodists
Sofegi SpA
FirstGroup
Welsh Archaeological Society
Wessex Water Pension Scheme
Cardiff University Pension Fund
Riverstone
Clarks
Principaux dossiers
- Advising on funding negotiations, governance responsibilities, investment management agreements, climate change reports, GMP equalisation, and legal issues related to liability-driven investments and security arrangements.
- Providing strategic UK pensions advice on all matters relating to a £250m DC section and £150m DB section, executing full buy-in, supporting work towards buy-out including GMP equalisation and advising on cyber security breach response.
- Advised on the closure to accrual of two DB schemes (£1.2bn, £1.5bn), implemented GMP equalisation, and managed DC scheme amendments (£220m), assisting with trustee documentation, and providing lead advice on harmonising three trustee boards into one trustee board overseeing all three schemes.
Osborne Clarke LLP
With ‘excellent industry knowledge’, Osborne Clarke LLP stands out for its expertise in the full gamut of pensions matters, most notably DB superfunds, buy-ins and buy-outs. Operating across the Bristol and London offices, team lead Jonathan Hazlett is an expert in PPF issues arising from restructurings and corporate insolvencies. In Bristol, Paul Matthews specialises in advisory work for both trustees and employers of high-value pensions schemes, while Brent Wright handles public sector matters for LGPS funds, as well as advising on ESG obligations. Claire Rankin offers ‘pragmatic solutions’ to a wide range of employment-related pensions issues and Tobias Hole is an expert in buy-in and buy-out transactions. Directors Daragh McGinty and Joe Webster are key contacts.
Responsables de la pratique:
Jonathan Hazlett
Autres avocats clés:
Paul Matthews; Brent Wright; Tobias Hole; Claire Rankin; Daragh McGinty; Joe Webster
Les références
‘Very thorough in their knowledge and quick in turnaround time to queries.’
‘Excellent industry knowledge and have built up substantial client experience and relationships.’
‘Tobias Hole is very friendly and approachable and is able to pitch his support at the correct level.’
‘We find Osborne Clarke to be pragmatic in finding solutions to complex issues without compromising on legal rigour. They also understand our clients and the commercial, general market background.’
‘The individuals we work with have been involved in some very high-profile leading edge cases and bring this experience to our much more routine mutual clients. All of our clients feel valued by all individuals at the firm.’
‘Brent Wright has been available at short notice, responsive and has provided real insight on topical matters. His advice is well-thought through and accessible to a non-technical audience.’
‘An ability to quickly grasp the key issues makes Claire Rankin a joy to work with. Pragmatic solutions are often suggested and discussed openly, fostering an in-depth understanding.’
‘Down-to-earth, pragmatic and professional advice. Develops a deep-understanding of the client’s requirements which enables well-informed decisions to be made.’
Principaux clients
Clara-Pensions Limited
Pension Protection Fund
Debenhams Retirement Scheme
Various LGPS funds (including the Environment Agency Pension Fund)
British Heart Foundation Pension Scheme
Twyford Bathrooms Pension Scheme
Thomas Cook Pension Plan
Royal Society of Chemistry
British Red Cross Society
YMCA Pension and Assurance Plan
Principaux dossiers
- Advised on two of the first three DB superfund transactions with Clara, including the first to follow a PPF assessment period and the first with a solvent ongoing employer. The client was the trustees of the Debenhams Retirement Scheme and Clara-Pensions Limited respectively.
- Advising 30+ trustee boards and employers on the legal processes required to secure members’ benefits in full by purchasing a buy-in policy, as part of the streamlined ‘Destination’ pensions risk transfer services tailored for small to medium-sized DB schemes.
- Appointed as one of six firms providing specialist and expert full legal services directly to the PPF (Lot 1). Appointed as one of three firms to advise the PPF and trustees of pension schemes in a PPF assessment period (Lot 2).
TLT
The pensions team at TLT is highly regarded for its robust SIPP and SSAS practice, alongside its extensive experience in pensions work within both the financial services and public sectors. Team lead Sasha Butterworth is renowned for her specialist knowledge of risk reduction and trustee ESG governance, advising clients on new pension structures and products, as well as pension legacy issues. Chris Crighton advises private and public sector employers and trustees nationally, with notable experience handling employer-led risk reduction exercises. Lizzie Stone harnesses expertise in pensions tax issues, while the ‘extremely knowledgeable’ Ellie Taylor specialises in risk transfers relating to defined benefit arrangements.
Responsables de la pratique:
Sasha Butterworth
Autres avocats clés:
Chris Crighton; Lizzie Stone; Ellie Taylor
Les références
‘The best pensions advice: clear and concise.’
‘Sasha Butterworth: Always available to give advice when needed. Always clear, and I trust her 100% to give me the right advice.’
‘Ellie Taylor: Very helpful and engaging. Extremely knowledgeable.’
Simmons & Simmons
The ‘truly professional’ team at Simmons & Simmons handles a wide scope of pensions matters, including the pension aspects of cross-border M&A and restructurings, surplus return and de-risking DB pension arrangements. James Dean leads the team in Bristol and advises clients on a range of pensions-related matters, with notable expertise in asset-backed funding arrangements.
Responsables de la pratique:
James Dean
Les références
‘A truly professional company possessing lawyers of exceptional ability, knowledge, expertise and communication skills.’
‘Seeing first hand its dealings and negotiations with other firms, I commend the team’s composure and continuing legal prowess under extreme pressure.’
‘Knowledge, expertise, common sense and ability to communicate.’
Principaux clients
DXC Technology
Mercedes Benz Trucks Limited
GlaxoSmithKline
Confederation of Health Service Employees (COHSE)
BASF plc
Doosan Babcock Trustees
Anheuser-Busch InBev Group
Griffiths & Armour
West Ferry Printers Pension Scheme
Principaux dossiers
- Acted for the trustees of the Doosan Power Systems Pension Scheme, advising on all aspects of the scheme, recently in relation to the exit from an asset backed funding arrangement and the sale of Doosan Babcock to Altrad.
- Acting for Griffiths & Armour on the complex restructuring of its pensions arrangements in preparation for its acquisition by Aon.
- Appointed to advise the Mercedes-Benz Trucks business in relation to the pensions issues arising from its global separation from Mercedes-Benz Cars.