The pensions team at Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP, led by Emma King, is equipped to handle a range of matters, including investment duties, advice to boards and trustees on the use of surplus pension funds and advice on de-risking transactions. King herself is well versed in governance and compliance structures for pension schemes, as well as risk mitigation strategies. Georgina Rankin offers clients expertise in corporate sponsors and acts for trustees of occupational pension schemes, also advising on risk settlement. James Ellis and Tom Meyrick support the team. Ellis has experience in liability management and corporate transactions, while Meyrick advises a range of clients, including trustees and corporate clients. Gary Delderfield departed the firm in October 2025, following Sarah Franklin's retirement in April of the same year.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- The team is very knowledgeable with a breadth of pensions legal experience and expertise, which means that there is seldom a subject matter that cannot be expertly advised upon. The team is good at responding in a pragmatic and proportionate manner.
- The team is very strong and responsive and has a good understanding of our business and the industry. We have been impressed by Emma King and Oliver Hunt.
- The team is very strong and responsive and has a good understanding of our business and the industry.
- The team that prides itself on providing legal support and advice to me is of the highest professional standard. They are attentive to my needs, extremely responsive, and very adept at explaining difficult legal concepts in plain English. They provide clear guidance and advice on how to interpret different situations and will always offer a practical solution to a particular issue. They are a very diverse team of individuals, and both as individuals and collectively, they have extensive knowledge and awareness of all the relevant issues and challenges.
- They are excellent listeners. They take time to understand the issues. They provide well-researched, practical, and logical solutions. They communicate in an effective and understandable manner. They are led by an exceptional partner, Emma King, who constantly ensures a high-quality service for me as the client.
- Tom Meyrick and Emma King - outstanding associate and partner.
- Great mix of technical expertise and experienced pragmatism.
- Tom Meyrick is extremely able and knowledgeable and has always delivered pragmatic and commercially sensible legal advice. He has been supported excellently by Lydia Keeley, who has been impressive as an associate.
- Extremely supportive and responsive team with a detailed understanding of the plan. Proactive updates on legal issues and topics and how they may impact us.
- The team provides clear, pragmatic, and easy-to-understand advice that is closely aligned with our objectives. Response times are consistently quick, and the team is readily available for calls and discussions, which supports efficient decision-making.
Key clients
- Clara Pension Scheme Trustee
- Siemens Plc
- Trustee of the Goodyear Dunlop UK Pension Plan
- Trustees of the Affinity Water Pension Plan
- Trustee of the William Hill Pension Scheme
- The University of Exeter
- The University of Birmingham
- The University of Durham
- Trustee of the University of Leicester Pension Scheme
- Trustee of the University of Warwick Pension Scheme
- Trustee of the University of Sussex Pension Scheme
- Ricoh Europe Plc
- Trustees of the Calor Group Retirement Benefits Plan
- Smurfit Kappa Pension Trustee
- West Midlands Pension Fund
- Northern Gas Networks Pension Scheme
- Trustees of the Baxter Healthcare Pension Plan
- Trustee of the Oracle UK Pension Plan
- Trustee of the Birmingham Airport Pension Scheme
- Dalriada Trustees Limited
Work highlights
Advised the Trustee of the Clara Pension Trust on the establishment of the scheme and four subsequent deals, with an aggregate value of £1.2bn.
Advised on the pension aspects of the merger of Evri with DHL eCommerce UK.
Advised Dalriada Trustees Limited and Vidett on claims to the Fraud Compensation Scheme.
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.
Tom Meyrick
James Ellis
Practice head
Emma King
Other key lawyers
Georgina Rankin; James Ellis; Tom Meyrick