The Manchester-based team at CMS has a varied client portfolio, which it is experienced assisting with a breadth of complex pensions matters, including advising on multi-billion-pound funds and complex schemes. Tim Green is well-equipped to handle a range of high-profile pensions advisory matters, as well as the variety of contentious issues, including high-stakes international disputes. Green co-heads the practice alongside London-based Maria Rodia. Key practitioners alongside Green in Manchester include Alexandra Tomlinson, whose workload includes advising trustees on scheme transfers and data cleanses, and corporates on the pensions aspects of significant transactions. Kayleigh Garforth‘s experience includes handling professional negligence matters. Samuel Fulda joined the team in July 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- Tim Green and Eoin O'Shea: Both are very competent and commercial.
- Solid and reliable advice provided.
- The CMS individuals we work with stand out for their strong technical pensions expertise combined with practical, well-judged advice. They are accessible, collaborative, and focused on delivering proportionate, outcome-driven solutions. Tim Green is particularly outstanding. He brings deep subject-matter knowledge, excellent judgment, and the ability to identify quickly the key risks and issues. His advice is clear, pragmatic, and trusted, especially on complex or sensitive matters, and he adds real value as a strategic adviser rather than simply responding to discrete queries.
- CMS stands out for its deep pensions expertise combined with a pragmatic, solutions-focused approach. The team has a strong understanding of complex regulatory and governance environments and provides advice that is technically robust but proportionate, clear, and focused on practical outcomes. CMS lawyers integrate well with internal teams, explain complex issues clearly for non-specialist stakeholders, and provide consistent, well-judged advice across both routine and more complex matters. Partner engagement is meaningful, and matters are appropriately resourced with good continuity. CMS offers a more consistent and relationship-based service, with strong institutional knowledge and an understanding of wider organizational objectives.
- Tim Green has a calm and reassuring presence.
- Proactive, pragmatic, and approachable.
Key clients
- Trustee of the Avon Cosmetics Pension Plan
- Trustee of the Marlowe Holdings Limited DC Pension Scheme
- Trustee of the Newbury Investments DC Pension Scheme
- Trustee of the Frank Roberts & Sons Limited Pension Scheme
- Stanplan F – Rical Limited
- Adam Carpets Limited PLAS
- Northumbrian Water Pension Scheme
- Trustees of the American Battle Monuments Commission Pension Scheme
- Morton Young & Borland Ltd RBS
- Trustee of the Motor Industry Pension Plan
- Trustee of the British Tourist Boards’ Staff Pension and Life Assurance Scheme
- Trustee of the University of Manchester Superannuation Scheme
Work highlights
Advising the Trustee of the Motor Industry Pension Plan on successful Part 8 rectification proceedings and consequences flowing from distressed employer issues, including statutory debts and PPF assessment periods
Advised the Trustees of the Avon Cosmetics Pension Plan on benefit matters leading to a buy-in transaction for c £240m with M&G.
Advising the Trustees of the Munro & Miller Fittings Ltd RBS in relation to the enforcement of a parent guarantee through the French Courts, including freezing injunctions over assets and implications relating to PPF assessment periods
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
Tim Green; Maria Rodia
Other key lawyers
Alexandra Tomlinson; Kayleigh Garforth; Gerard Cole; Samuel Fulda