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Squire Sanders LLP saw a number of changes at senior level; the ‘fantastic’ Georgina Rankin is now a partner and Helen Miles recently joined the team from DLA Piper UK LLP, while Sarah Franklin, Emma King and Francois Barker are now at Eversheds LLP. The team acted for the trustees of the IMI pensions scheme on a derisking exercise, and gained Jaguar Pensions and Weetabix as clients. Practice head Ian Forrest ‘develops pragmatic solutions’.

Wragge & Co LLP has a ‘first-class team’ with the ‘practical’ Glyn Ryland at the helm. The team acts for employers and pension trustees on the full range of contentious, non-contentious and investment matters. Clients include Mitchells & Butlers Pensions Plans and Rothesay Life. It advised the trustees of the 6,000-member EMAP Flexiplan DC pension scheme on the buyout of member pension benefits and the ultimate winding up of the scheme. Peter Shave is a ‘very able pensions litigator’, and Richard Black is ‘outstanding’.

Eversheds LLP provides ‘sound and pragmatic advice’. Liz Fallon is ‘approachable’ and Gary Delderfield ‘very responsive’. Its roster of clients includes Johnson Controls, Staffordshire County Council, and Babcock International, and it is increasingly involved in advising on pension schemes in multiple jurisdictions and in the public sector. The team expanded with the addition of Francois Barker, Emma King and Sarah Franklin from Squire Sanders LLP.

Pinsent Masons LLP’s Daniel Shelley is praised for his ability to provide ‘pragmatic and innovative solutions’. Simon Laight heads the team, which counts AXA, Cadbury Pension Fund and Premier Foods Pension Scheme as clients. The practice collaborated with Legal & General on the development of a new product, and advised public and private sector clients on complex issues associated with the main public sector pension schemes and on industry-wide schemes.

DLA Piper UK LLP is providing ongoing advice to Inspired Gaming Group Pension Scheme and also to Nord Anglia, while other clients include Compass Contract Services. The team is increasingly active in pensions litigation. Liverpool-based David Wright is the key contact, following Helen Miles’ recent move to Squire Sanders LLP.

The ‘excellent’ Michael Collins heads the team at Gateley, which was recently appointed to advise the AS Watson (Health & Beauty UK) Pension Plan (formerly the Superdrug Pension Plan). The firm’s corporate independent trustee company continues to grow.

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Legal Developments in West Midlands for Pensions

  • TRANSFER OF UNDERTAKINGS (PROTECTION OF EMPLOYMENT) AND AGE DISCRIMINATION

    I have been asked to cover the topic of Employment law within my half an hour speaking slot today. I have narrowed my subject down to Transfer of Undertakings and Discrimination, with the focus on providing an update on the recent spate of cases on service provision change and on the important developments in the law of age discrimination. Needless to say, in my presentation I shall not be able to cover the level of detail which is contained in my written paper, which I will leave you to read.
    - 11KBW

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