Herbert Smith Freehills LLP‘s advisory pensions practice assists regulatory bodies, trustees, sponsors, insurers, reinsurers, and insolvency practitioners on the full gamut of non-contentious pensions work. Led by the ’top-class’ and ‘technically brilliant’ Samantha Brown, the team is highly experienced in de-risking matters, GMP equalisation, and pensions arrangements in major transactions. For de-risking issues within the insurance industry, ’superb pensions lawyer’ Rachel Pinto is a key contact, whilst Michael Aherne is the name to note for pensions cases within the energy sector, as well as for work with pension investment funds; he is well-regarded for his provision of ‘commercial and pragmatic advice’. Alison Brown is also a key name within the team.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Michael Aherne is exceptional - he always makes himself available and delivers commercial and pragmatic advice every time.’
‘The team works seamlessly at every level.’
‘Rachel Pinto is on top of what everyone is doing and is always available.’
‘Excellent team with great technical and market knowledge.’
‘Samantha Brown is a top-class lawyer always able to identify the right solution to achieve her clients' aspirations. Innovative and thoughtful.’
‘There is a very strong commitment by all - availability is always good - no excuses. Good level of intervention to avoid trustees tripping up on issues. Quality of advice is excellent.’
‘A hugely impressive team of lawyers who combine technical brilliance with commercial awareness.’
‘Samantha Brown is a technically brilliant lawyer and fantastic team player who goes the extra mile for her clients. Rachel Pinto is a superb pensions lawyer who is a pleasure to work with and has great judgement.’

Key clients

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Pension Insurance Corporation (PIC)
Stagecoach Group Limited
Independent Trustee Services Limited
Trustees of the TTL Chiltern Group Pension Scheme
TUI Travel Limited
Go-Ahead
Board of the Pension Protection Fund
W H Smith
Hiscox
Dalriada Trustees

Work highlights

Advised PIC on multiple transactions, including on a third transaction with the Trustees of the BAT Pension Fund and a sixth transaction with the Trustees of the IMI Pension Fund.
Advised TUI in relation to the management of its pension liabilities, namely, in relation to its significant defined benefit scheme – the TUI Group UK Pension Trust.
Advised Go-Ahead on the pension aspects of its public to private takeover by a consortium of Australian and Spanish companies which are ultimately owned by a number of pension funds.