The pensions team at HCR Hewitsons centres on specialist partner Christopher Nuttall, who works mainly from Cambridge and covers central Central England. Clients note that the team is ‘very pragmatic and responsive’, and that Nuttall is ‘extremely hardworking, detailed and clear’. Senior associate Kunjan Sembhi, who also works across the firm’s office network, is a key adviser to actuaries, consultants, investment managers, trustees and scheme administrators. Together, they advised the trustees of the Velux Co. Ltd. Retirement Benefits Scheme on an exercise to determine whether former employees are entitled to additional pension benefits. Recent work also includes working with trustees and the Pension Regulator on complex anti-avoidance actions and risk transfer exercises.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team is very pragmatic and responsive when supporting us on our pension schemes.’

  • ‘Chris Nuttall is extremely hard working and his responses are always detailed and clear. He has provided support at very short notice when required. Kunjan Sembhi has joined the team working on our schemes, and we are pleased with the additional support and advice being provided.’

Key clients

  • Biochrom Limited
  • T Groocock & Co (Rothwell) Limited
  • Permastore Limited
  • Trustees of the Velux Co. Ltd Retirement Benefits Scheme
  • United Learning Trust
  • Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge
  • Trustees of the Superior Pension Fund (Greenery UK Limited)
  • Trustees of the AT Oliver & Sons Ltd Pension and Life Assurance Scheme
  • Trustees of the Sortex Final Salary Scheme (Buhler Sortex Limited)
  • Perrys Group Limited
  • Morris Education Trust (Eastern Learning Alliance)
  • C Walton Limited
  • Upshot Systems CIC

Work highlights

  • Working with trustees and the Pension Regulator on a complex anti-avoidance action, the outcome of which protected members’ benefits and considerably increased the likelihood that members will receive their benefits in full.
  • Working on risk transfer exercises for trustees with buy out providers including Just, Legal & General and Aviva, including for the Superior Pension Fund.
  • Advising the trustee of the Velux Co. Ltd. Retirement Benefit Scheme on a project to bring membership data up to date and clarify the benefits payable under the rules to ensure good member outcomes.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Christopher Nuttall

Other key lawyers

Kunjan Sembhi