From strategic journey planning to daily pensions advisory work, the Baker McKenzie pensions team advises trustees, providers, and corporate-side clients on a host of pensions matters. The team works cross-practice to offer clients, often cross-jurisdictionally, advice on risk transfers, buy-ins and buyouts, carve-outs, pension scheme restructurings, and resolving issues related to multiple benefit sections and covenant support arrangements. Arron Slocombe, an expert in pension buyouts and liability management, regulatory clearance work, scheme mergers, and benefit and corporate restructurings, leads the team. The team is supported by stand-out practitioners Jonathan Sharp, a specialist in advising companies and trustees on amending schemes, investments, and resolving members’ complaints; Jeanette Holland, a specialist in large-scale restructurings involving the mitigation of pensions risks; and Tom McNaughton, experienced advising industry-wide schemes in risk management.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Well resourced, diverse and knowledgeable team across varying levels of experience providing appropriately experienced resource to differing levels of work.'
‘Engaged, pragmatic and timely. Arron Slocombe and Caspar McConville provide excellent service.'
‘Arron Slocombe has a pragmatic approach to problems and gives sound advice to the Trustees, keeping us abreast of legal developments and trying to be proportionate on steps the Plan needs to take.'
'Jonathan Sharp is excellent - all over the detail and very approachable.'
'The team has been stable and we have an excellent relationship.'
'The whole pensions team is very good. Their profile within the industry is relatively low, but the people are excellent and their fees are reasonable.'
Key clients
- Accenture
- Arqiva Trustees
- Atos IT Services UK Limited
- Avis Trustees
- Baker Hughes
- British Land
- Cameron Trustees
- Chr Hansen Holding A/S
- Coats
- DXC Trustees
- Emerson Electric
- GSK
Work highlights
Advise the trustees and corporate sponsors such as DXC Trustees and Cameron Pensions Trustees on cost and risk management projects as well as complex advisory and compliance matters.
Advise the Walgreens Boots Alliance on the project to buy-out and wind up the Boots Pension Scheme following the £4.8bn buy-in of the Scheme with Legal & General.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Arron Slocombe
Other key lawyers
Jeanette Holland; Tom McNaughton; Jonathan Sharp; Caspar McConville