Maria Rodia leads the pensions team at CMS, which is experienced in assisting clients in de-risking matters, longevity swaps, buy ins and buy outs, benefit redesigns, and liability reductions. Rodia, who harnesses extensive experience in energy-sector pension issues in particular, took over from consultant Mark Grant to become head of the department in March 2023. The team's recent work includes advising on a buy-in insurance contracts, GMP conversion schemes, and part-8 applications. Mark Atkinson and Keith Webster are recommended for their expertise in winding-ups, whilst Emma Frost is noteworthy for her recent work in risk transfer transactions. Caroline Kurup, Johanna Clarke, and associate Thibault Jeakings are also names to note in the team.

The ‘technically excellent‘ and ‘pragmatic‘ pensions team at Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP is able to advise its clients on the full-range of pensions work. Francois Barker, who co-heads the team, works with such well-known clients as Pensions Europe and The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association, while fellow co-head Jeremy Goodwin is recommended for his work regarding the regulator’s anti-avoidance powers as well as for his experience in matters involving the duties and responsibilities of trustees. Mark Latimour is noted as being an ‘excellent adviser and strategic partner’; he frequently advises on pension investment issues. Michael Jones is recommended for his work on commercial pension schemes. Steven Hull and Sarah Swift are also names to note. Charlotte Cartwright was notably promoted to partner in May 2023.

Katie Banks leads the ‘exceptional’ non-contentious pensions team at Hogan Lovells International LLP. The practice is well-equipped to advise its clients on de-risking matters, novel funding solutions, master trust cases, and buy-ins and buy-outs. The team’s noteworthy recent work includes the completion of the £600m buy-out of liabilities in one section of ITV’s pension scheme. Claire Southern is experienced in advising large international clients such as Axa, while Duncan Buchanan brings more than thirty years of pension experience to the team. Other key contacts include Edward Brown and associate Beth Sheehan. Faye Jarvis left the practice in November 2022 for Macfarlanes LLP.

Linklaters LLP‘s pensions practice namely advises employers, trustees, and insurance companies on the full spectrum of pensions work. The team is led by the ‘superb’ Claire Petheram, whose client roster includes such names as the Rolls-Royce UK Pension Fund and the British American Tobacco UK Pension Fund. Rosalind Knowles specialises in pensions investments, while Philip Goss is a key contact for de-risking work. John Sheppard and Sarah Parkin are also names to note for their general pensions work. Their recent activity includes advising on the cross-border sale of UK portfolio companies, ensuring that large pension schemes meet the new TCFD requirements.

Clients commend Pinsent Masons LLP‘s ‘second-to-none’ pensions team, which is described as being formed of ‘conscientious‘ and ‘proactive‘ lawyers, who are led by Stephen Scholefield. The practice is particularly well-versed in advising on master trust issues, as well as defined benefit scheme winding-ups, de-risking exercises, and traditional occupational work. The ‘exceptional’ Matthew De Ferrars is a key name for risk transfer matters; Raj Sharma is the name to note for international regulatory work, while Mark Baker is the main contact for master trust cases. Stewart Murphy, the ‘consistently excellent’ Alison Cribbs, and Chris Burke are also noted for their work on broader pension-related cases.

Pensions boutique Sacker & Partners LLP is noted by clients as being the ‘go-to legal practice for pensions‘, with a ‘world-class’ depth of practice. Team lead David Saunders has extensive experience in advising clients on defined benefit and defined contribution pension schemes, bringing more than 20 years’ experience to the practice. Janet Brown, who is experienced in de-risking matters, is commended for her ‘unique skills‘ and provision of ‘invaluable’ support. Other key names include Fuat Sami who focuses on transactional cases; Stuart O’Brien who works mainly on matters relating to ESG and climate risk; Philippa Connaughton, who has expertise advising on the pensions aspects of corporate acquisitions; defined contribution schemes specialist Helen Ball; and the ‘superb‘ Jacqui Reid as well as Edward Hayes.

The pensions department at Slaughter and May is lauded by clients as being a ‘very capable team‘ with ‘incredible technical expertise’. Charles Cameron leads the practice and is experienced on benefit change exercises and innovative de-risking strategies, particularly within the industrial and manufacturing industries. More broadly, the team is well-equipped to advise its clients on the full gamut of advisory pensions work, which includes providing cross-border assistance in transactional matters for its clients, including trustees, insurers, and employers. Sandeep Maudgil is a key contact for strategic and high-value pension work, while Daniel Schaffer is a name to note for the implementation of benefit redesign projects. Chris Sharpe was promoted to partner in May 2022.

Travers Smith LLP is noted for its ‘pragmatic‘ and ‘client-focused’ pensions work, with the team being jointly headed by Susie Daykin and Daniel Gerring. The practice offers clients assistance in matters including de-risking, distress, covenants, and defined contribution pensions, with a particular focus on the endgame for schemes. Clients span employers, insurers, private equity firms, and trustees, with recent work including advice on the transfer of assets to a master trust, advice in part 8 claims, and assistance in multi-million pound buy-in deals. David James is a name to note for his master trust work, while Dan Naylor is a notable contact for pensions insurance and endgame planning work. Andy Lewis, Niamh Hamlyn, and senior counsel Chris Widdison are also key names within the team. Hamlyn was promoted to the partnership in July 2022.

The ‘dynamic‘ and ‘excellent‘ team at boutique firm Arc Pensions Law is especially well-known for its prowess in advising on de-risking transactions, and is noted as offering clients an ‘outstanding service'. The practice’s client base encompasses trustees, sponsors, stakeholders of pension schemes, and corporate clients. Anna Rogers, described as ‘top of the pack’ and 'a key figure in the world of pensions' leads the team and has more than 35 years’ experience in pensions work. For master trusts, distressed investments and restructurings, Rosalind Connor is a key name, whilst Jane Kola is the point of contact for buy-ins, buy-outs, and post buy-out risk work. For defined benefit, defined contribution, and hybrid pensions schemes-related matters, Anna Copestake is recommended.

Baker McKenzie LLP‘s pensions team is led by the ‘pragmatic‘ and ‘commercial’ Arron Slocombe, whose expertise includes complex pensions work for international clients as well as domestic trustees. The team, whose client base includes names such as GSK and JPMorgan Pension Fund Trustees, advises on a range of matters such as pension buyouts, investment issues – including climate change – benefit and corporate restructurings, anti-avoidance issues, and pensions issues relating to mergers. Key contacts within the team include Jeanette Holland, Jonathan Sharp, and associates Tom McNaughton and Danielle Klinger. Chantal Thompson retired in June 2023.

Burges Salmon LLP is able to offer its clients non-contentious pensions advice from its offices in London, Bristol, and Edinburgh, with Richard Knight leading the practice from Bristol. The team is particularly commended for its work on public sector matters, having recently worked on the National Local Government Pension Scheme Framework for Legal Service, on which Michael Hayles is a key contact. Clive Pugh is a name to note for scheme rescues and managed PPF entries, whilst the ‘pragmatic and sensible' Richard Pettit is particularly adept at assisting clients with international pensions issues. Alice Honeywill and Susannah Young are also noteworthy team members, with Honeywill focusing on larger pensions projects within mergers, corporate restructurings, buy-ins and buy-outs. Associates Chris Brown and Crispin Freeman are also recommended.

Clifford Chance LLP‘s advisory practice is particularly well-equipped to assist its clients with the pensions elements of cross-border transactional cases. The practice advises trustees, employers, and lender clients on a breadth of pensions issues, including scheme valuations, buy-in and buy-out transactions, GMP equalisations, and pension scheme closures. Hywel Robinson, former chair of the Association of Pension Lawyers, leads the team, and is especially experienced in cross-border membership and asset-pooling matters. Clare Hoxey is a name to note for de-risking matters, while Sarah McAleer is a key contact for trustee advisory work. Senior associates Rebecca Trapp and Robert Klepka are also recommended.

DLA Piper‘s 'extremely professional' non-contentious pensions team is co-led by de-risking expert Amrit Mclean and the ‘outstanding‘ Matthew Swynnerton. The practice is able to use its international network and multi-disciplinary team to advise its clients on complex matters, such as the pensions issues involved in cross-border buy-ins. The team is particularly experienced in the energy sector, for which Tamara Calvert is a key contact. Joel Eytle is the name to note for pensions regulation work, whilst associate Oritsema Ejuoneatse is recommended for her work in de-risking alongside Mclean.

Gowling WLG‘s non-contentious pensions practice is headed by Birmingham-based Elizabeth Gane, with support from defined contribution expert Joanne Tibbott, the ‘approachable and knowledgeable' Jason Coates, and pensions risk transfer specialist Paul Feathers. The practice’s client base includes trustees of large schemes and employers, who the team frequently advises on longevity swaps and other general pensions issues. Recent examples of the team's work includes advising on issues relating to GMP equalisation, managing the liabilities of schemes, and advising on defined benefit and defined contribution scheme matters. Associates Sarah Tate and Sara Chambers are also recommended.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP‘s advisory pensions practice assists regulatory bodies, trustees, sponsors, insurers, reinsurers, and insolvency practitioners on the full gamut of non-contentious pensions work. Led by the ‘top-class’ and ‘technically brilliant’ Samantha Brown, the team is highly experienced in de-risking matters, GMP equalisation, and pensions arrangements in major transactions. For de-risking issues within the insurance industry, ‘superb pensions lawyer’ Rachel Pinto is a key contact, whilst Michael Aherne is the name to note for pensions cases within the energy sector, as well as for work with pension investment funds; he is well-regarded for his provision of ‘commercial and pragmatic advice’. Alison Brown is also a key name within the team.

Mayer Brown International LLP‘s non-contentious pensions team is capable of advising trustees, employers, and pension product advisers on a range of matters, including cross-border cases, pensions investment matters, scheme documentation, scheme wind-ups, and on issues surrounding the purchase of bulk annuity policies. Jay Doraisamy and Ian Wright jointly lead the team; Doraisamy has strong capabilities in sponsor restructuring work and Wright regularly works on matters regarding bespoke integrated investments. Andrew Block is a key contact for pension investment matters, whilst counsel Duncan Watson and Beverly Cox are also names to note. Edward Jewitt, who ‘possesses a fine legal mind', is recommended, alongside associates Liam Kellett and Alex Knowles-Smith.

Norton Rose Fulbright‘s team, praised for its ‘consistent quality and first-class professional advice‘, offers clients assistance in a variety of pensions matters, from transition to a master trust, buy-ins and buy-outs, to pensions-related transaction issues. ‘Highly experienced’ and ‘technical’ practitioner Lesley Browning heads the team and is particularly experienced in advising clients on underfunded schemes. Team member Shane O’Reilly is also a name to note, with recent work including advising clients on the implementation of GMP equalisations in addition to advising on the range of general pensions issues. The practice also offers assistance on the drafting of trust documentation as well as with investment issues, overpayment recovery, and de-risking matters.

Squire Patton Boggs' team has a notable focus on the regulated utilities sector, particularly on water, nuclear, and electricity-sponsored pension schemes. The team also advises on master trusts, pension investments, scheme consolidations, and regulator interventions. Co-head of the practice Wendy Hunter is well-equipped to assist its clients with the pension-related elements of corporate transactions, whilst co-head and Birmingham-based Matthew Giles namely offers specialist advice on defined benefit pension plans and deficit management strategies. Other names to note within the team include public sector expert Kirsty McLean, and the 'excellent, proactive' senior associate Archana Gupta. Clifford Sims is also recommended for pensions investment cases. Chris Harper was promoted to the partnership in May 2022.

Stephenson Harwood‘s non-contentious pensions team is led by Philip Goodchild, who offers clients expertise on pensions issues in both the UK and the Middle East. The practice’s recent work includes providing advice to a large employers on a defined benefit scheme, as well as providing assistance to trustees on a multi-employer defined benefit scheme, and advice on the transfer of assets to a master trust. For large schemes, particularly those within the banking sector, Stephen Richards is a key contact. Mark Catchpole and Of counsel Naeem Noor are also names to note within the practice, with the latter complimented by clients for his provision of ‘excellent day-to-day support‘.

Dentons advises a variety of international and domestic employers and trustees on the full gamut of non-contentious pensions issues. The practice is dually headed by Glasgow-based Alison Weatherhead and the ‘exceptionally responsive‘ London-based Eleanor Hart, who brings experience in complex cross-border transactions to the pensions team. Further advice the practice offers encompasses matters such as pension scheme buyouts – for which counsel Caroline Curran, who joined the team in October 2022 is a key contact - as well as pension funding arrangements, insolvency-related work, and transactions involving pensions issues. The practice was recently boosted by the arrival of Carolyn Saunders, the former head of the national pensions team at Pinsent Masons LLP.

Fieldfisher‘s non-contentious pensions team is complimented by clients who are regarded as being ‘extremely knowledgeable in their field, helpful, and proactive‘. The practice is headed up by David Gallagher, who was recently appointed as Chair-Elect of the Association of Pensions Lawyers and possesses particular expertise in pension matters within the electricity industry. Jeremy Harris and Michael Calvert are recommended for their work on scheme benefit changes and pensions in corporate transactions, respectively. Andrew Patten and associate Katie Whelan are also names to note within the team.

The pensions advisory practice at Macfarlanes LLP is experienced in assisting trustees, lenders, and employers on issues such as DC master trusts, the management of occupational pension schemes, and the pension-related aspects of corporate transactions. Camilla Barry co-leads the practice and brings her expertise in the powers of the pensions regulator, while fellow co-head Andrew Barton is the key contact for de-risking matters. Other names to note within the team include senior counsel Madison Isted and senior associate Stacey Yon. Faye Jarvis joined the practice from Hogan Lovells International LLP in November 2022.

Osborne Clarke LLP‘s pensions team offers clients advice on a wide-variety of non-contentious matters, including GMP rectification and equalisation matters, benefit specification reviews, scheme closures, and pension-related issues in corporate restructurings and insolvencies. Bristol-based Jonathan Hazlett leads the team, and is complimented by clients for his provision of ‘expert advice'. He is assisted by the ‘great‘ Tobias Hole, alongside Claire Rankin, Thames Valley-based Chris Netiatis, and legal director Lee Colgate. Carol Dick notably joined from PwC LLP in October 2022.

PwC LLP‘s advisory pensions team is headed by Oliver Reece, who is especially well-known for his experience advising clients on regulatory matters in the pensions sphere. The practice has a particular focus on corporate entities, with clients including the BBC and IMI, but is also experienced in advising both domestic and international trustees, employers, and scheme members. Fraser Sparks brings more than 20 years’ experience to the team and is the key contact for benefit correlation issues, whilst Elizabeth Ramsaran leads the pensions ESG work. David Farmer and Lindsay O’Farrell are also names to note within the practice.

Reed Smith LLP‘s non-contentious pensions practice is particularly experienced in advising its trustee clients on a range of issues, including the pensions aspects of mergers and transactions, regulatory issues, GMP equalisations, buy-ins, and matters relating to benefit structures. The team is dually headed by Simon Hartley, who is complimented for his ‘clarity and purpose', alongside Justine Senior and William Sutton, who are both noted by clients as working as ‘an exceptional team' and for going ‘the extra mile'.

The ‘professional and efficient’ non-contentious team at Simmons & Simmons regularly advises trustees and employers on cross-border pensions matters, which notably includes its recent provision of advice on an international pension scheme restructuring. Danny Tsang heads the department and is an expert on corporate pensions strategies, and is highly experienced with schemes in distressed situations. Bristol-based James Dean has notable for expertise in asset-backed funding arrangements work, whilst Edward Smith is a key contact for pension benefit redesigns. Associate Laura Friedman is a name to note for de-risking initiatives.

gunnercooke LLP's practice is praised by clients for its ‘wealth of experience‘, ‘excellent client service‘, and ‘technical pensions expertise'. The practice is able to act as trustee to numerous pension schemes with the firm’s professional trustee company, gcTrustees. Notable names within the team include Adam Bushby for his risk transfer specialism, Helen Miles for her expertise in issues of compliance and risk settlement matters, and Parminder Latimer for her over three decades of experience in the industry. Michael M Jones joined the team in May 2022 from Charles Russell Speechlys LLP.

Irwin Mitchell‘s non-contentious pensions practice is dually headed by Penny Cogher, who leverages her thirty years' experience in the pensions industry to advise clients on the full gamut of pension matters, and Martin Jenkins, who specialises in benefit review and de-risking matters. The practice recently welcomed Terry Saeedi and senior associate Matthew Ambler from Clyde & Co in April 2023.

Keystone Law‘s pensions practice - which notably features the highly experienced Monica Ma - assists both trustees and employers in all types of pensions issues, with its recent work including advising on pensions aspects of corporate transactions. The team regularly collaborates with Isle of Man-based Ben Hughes, who is particularly adept at assisting on both domestic and international pensions issues, as well as with its colleagues in other departments such as financial services, corporate, and tax. It is complimented for its provision of an ‘extremely courteous and competent service’. 

Taylor Wessing LLP‘s advisory pensions practice is noted as being formed of ‘excellent technical specialists' and is led by Mark Smith. The department utilises its cross-practice expertise to assist clients in pensions issues involving aspects such as cyber-security and data protection. It also has a particular expertise in the pensions aspects of corporate restructurings. Anna Taylor is a key name for defined benefit schemes work. Associates Georgie Wardrop and Afshan Mallik are also names to note within the team.

TLT‘s pensions team is adept at advising clients on a wide-range of pensions issues, including buy-ins and buy-outs, GMP conversion and equalisations, the pensions aspects of acquisitions, and the restructuring of security arrangements within plans. Sasha Butterworth, who is dual-qualified in both England & Wales and Northern Ireland, heads the team and is especially experienced at advising on pensions issues in the ESG space. Chris Crighton and associate Kate Beech are also recommended.

The pensions team at Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP is experienced in assisting trustees, sponsoring employers, and insurers. Led by Martin Poore, the practice has particular expertise for pensions issues within the public and voluntary sectors. Newcastle-based Suzanne Duff brings extensive knowledge on a variety of matters relating to occupational pension schemes, whilst Bristol-based Tracy Walsh is noted for her work in the Pensions Regulator’s moral hazard powers and the pensions aspects within transactions. Gavin Ellison and associates Paul Rosenzweig and Kelly Beattie are also key contacts.

Ashurst‘s advisory pensions practice regularly advises trustees and employers on pensions investments, the pensions aspects of transactions and mergers, member benefits, and scheme fundings. With nearly 20 years’ experience in pensions matters, John Gordon is the name to contact for complex matters. Gordon’s recent work includes advising trustees and lenders on refinancing issues in the context of the new regulatory regime, and assisting trustees in circumstances of insolvency, restructuring, and distress.

Trowers & Hamlins LLP‘s pensions practice is described as being both ‘pragmatic’ and ‘excellent’ by clients. Martin McFall leads the team and is recommended for his experience advising local authorities and employers on public sector scheme-related matters. The practice as a whole also assists trustees and employers on issues such as scheme wind-ups, benefit restructurings, and corporate transactions. Senior associate Deborah Shumate is a name to note for experience with complex commercial pensions strategies.

Wedlake Bell LLP‘s pensions and employee benefits team is headed by the ‘extremely polished' and ‘excellent‘ Justin McGilloway, who has nearly 20 years’ experience advising clients on the full gamut of pensions issues. The practice is adept at advising its trustee and employer clients in matters including final salary schemes, the implementation of international pension arrangements, and the arrangement of pensions for private clients. Other key in the team are associates Paul Ashcroft and James Newcome.