Gowling WLG maintains a strong position in the pensions market, with key areas of work including scheme advisory, employer advisory, and pensions risk transfer. The practice acts for a broad portfolio of pension schemes, advising on scheme restructurings, emerging DC models, and pension consolidation. Based in Birmingham, Elizabeth Gane heads the pensions department. Covering the entire scope of scheme advisory work, Jason Coates is regularly instructed by large pension schemes, and devoted to trustee clients, Suzanne Mortimer handles all matters, from day-to-day advice and scheme funding to buy-ins, buyouts, and scheme wind-ups. Paul Feathers left the firm in December 2025.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- Excellent partners who take a holistic approach to understanding the client's situation. They take a commercial approach to scoping work and ensuring commercial circumstances are addressed. They are flexible in their approaches to billing to suit circumstances - fixed, capped, and discounts for scale.
- Jason Coates - great collaboration with us as clients and always looks to understand the full commercial and stakeholder context. Consequently, the advice received is aligned with the client strategy. Aaron Dunning-Foreman - Calm approach to complex and sensitive situations. Solution and pension scheme member/outcome focused. Strong methodical approach clearly articulated, which strongly shapes client decision-making while remaining collaborative.
- The individuals I have worked with stand out for their responsiveness, accessibility, and willingness to engage constructively on complex and evolving issues. Jason Coates provides a steady and reassuring presence at the partner level, giving confidence in the overall direction and delivery of the work. Ben Goldby has taken clear ownership of day-to-day delivery, leading the work effectively and maintaining momentum across a complex and developing project. Sian Williams has been particularly strong in a client-facing role, handling complex aspects of the project under tight timeframes. She is responsive, well-organized, and able to deal with detailed issues in a clear and structured way, which has been valuable in progressing work efficiently.
Key clients
- Trustee of the Trafalgar House Pension Trust
- ICL Group Pension Plan
- Thales UK Pension Scheme
- Trustee of the Unisys UK Pension Schemes
- Trustee of the TPT Superfund
- Trustees of Peel Ports Final Salary Pension Scheme
- Festina Finance Limited
- Trustees of Ridsdale Pensions and Death Benefit
- Arcadia
- Mahle
Work highlights
Advised the Trustee of the £4bn ICL Group Pension Plan and four Fujitsu Services pension schemes on scheme governance, covenant matters, GMP equalisation, valuations, and investment-related legal issues.
Assisted the Trustee of the £1.8bn Trafalgar House Pension Trust with a number of strategic projects, including the completion of the first phase of a large GMP conversion project for pensioners and deferred members in bulk to achieve GMP equalisation.
Advised the Thales UK Pension Scheme on the post buy-in actions for its 15,000 members as the £2.7bn scheme moves towards a wind-up and buyout.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Elizabeth Gane
Other key lawyers
Jason Coates; Suzanne Mortimer