Advising a significant portfolio of pension schemes, Squire Patton Boggs has particular expertise in public sector pensions, regulated utilities, and large occupational schemes. The practice works across DB and DC arrangements, including master trusts, CDC schemes, and regulatory issues. Co-head Wendy Hunter is regularly involved in significant master trust and CDC developments, while fellow co-head Matthew Giles focuses on DB pension schemes. On the public sector front, Kirsty McLean is devoted to leading large-scale projects, such as mergers and buy-ins, as well as general, day-to-day compliance matters. Chris Harper is highly capable of handling all issues surrounding both DB and DC schemes.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- Practical, professional, and personable. Very considerate of the culture of the client.
- Their knowledge of our scheme, their practical approach, their flexible approach, and their positive outlook.
- Hardworking and excellent.
- Wendy Hunter is technically strong and able to provide clear and succinct advice on complex topics, often at short notice. Her straightforward and approachable manner makes it easier to engage on detailed issues. Kate Bailey has overseen delivery across a complex project and has coordinated activities effectively. She is accessible and proactive, and is willing to engage early with the client to discuss issues before they develop further. Alexandra Heggie has delivered a significant amount of the complex drafting work on a fast-moving and technically challenging project. She has a strong ability to understand the underlying issues and translate them into clear, well-structured documentation that is usable in practice. Overall, the team demonstrates a practical and collaborative approach, with a focus on supporting delivery in a complex and evolving environment.
- Squire Patton Boggs’ non-contentious pensions team has supported a complex and relatively novel project operating within a developing area of the market. The team has demonstrated an ability to engage with complex issues and work constructively alongside internal teams as matters have evolved. A key strength is responsiveness, particularly where issues arise at pace and require careful consideration. The team has been willing to engage proactively and work collaboratively to identify practical solutions as challenges emerge. From a client perspective, the advice is pragmatic and commercially focused, with a clear emphasis on supporting the delivery of the project’s objectives. The team shows a good understanding of the broader context and works in a way that complements internal resources. The practice is also differentiated by its transparency of billing and willingness to adapt charging structures. This has been helpful in supporting cost management, as well as in building a constructive, longer-term working relationship aligned with the client’s broader business objectives.
- They are always on top of their brief and provide pragmatic advice with clear recommendations. They are a very nice bunch and work well with our Trustee Board, in-house team, other advisers, and the corporate side.
Key clients
- Southern Water Pension Scheme
- Access Pool – Local Government Pension Scheme
- Six schemes in the Marelli Group
- Royal Mail Collective Pension Plan
- Thames Water defined benefit pension schemes
- BT Pension Scheme
- LGPS funds participating in Border to Coast and LGPS Central
- Aviva Master Trust Trustees UK Ltd
- TPT Retirement Solutions
Work highlights
Advised TPT Retirement Solutions on the establishment of a multi-employer Collective Defined Contribution pension scheme.
Advised the eleven LGPS funds on the ACCESS Pool through the existential changes resulting from the Government’s ‘Fit for the future’ consultation.
Advised the Aviva Master Trust on proposition development and governance matters
Lawyers
Leading partners
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Practice head
Wendy Hunter; Matthew Giles
Other key lawyers
Chris Harper; Kirsty McLean