Acting for trustees, sponsors, and insurers, Slaughter and May‘s ’very knowledgeable and pragmatic’ team has a strong track record in handling a broad range of pension work, which encompasses derisking transactions, funding structures, mergers, and board issues. The practice also stands out for advising employers in the energy and utilities sectors, and handling advisory work arising from scheme overfunding and cyber security incidents. Charles Cameron leads the practice and has particular experience in advisory and transactional matters within the industrial and manufacturing sectors. Daniel Schaffer, who is praised as a ‘problem solver’ with ’high levels of commercial awareness and credibility’, handles a combination of contentious and non-contentious issues including redesigns, funding and covenant matters, and restructurings, while Chris Sharpe focuses on collective defined contribution schemes and de-risking deals. Isobel Carruthers is another key contact.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Chris Sharpe - very good knowledge of pension legal issues and the potential interplay between the various non-legal issues that trustees need to face. Very good at anticipating issues and a strong negotiator for the trustee. Always courteous and always robust as well. Highly recommend.’
‘Depth and breadth of expertise. Absolute commitment to client service. Responsiveness - our queries and demands were effectively handled due to the bench strength in the team and the communication between them.’
‘Their ability to help us appreciate very complex and unfamiliar concepts using accessible language. Infinite patience supported our progress. Their style in guiding and challenging us comfortably and constructively.’
‘The team have worked with the Trustee Board for many years and has built up deep knowledge of the scheme, and great partnership with the Board and the sponsoring employer based on an understanding of the personalities and the way we work.'
- 'They are an integral part of our wider Trustee team, leading to valued advice that considers broader aspects than the specific question asked.’
‘Charles Cameron and Abi Wainwright have worked with our Board for many years and have a depth of knowledge that is highly valued. They are responsive to unplanned needs, and focused on effective collaboration with us.’
‘They are exceptionally competent and have partnered with us for some excellent results.’
‘Dan Schaffer - stand out partner on pensions with exceptional legal advice.'
Key clients
- Railways Pension Trustee Company Limited
- Trustee of BT Pension Scheme
- Trustee of the BBC Pension Scheme
- Trustee of the Severn Trent Pension Scheme, Trustee of the Severn Trent Water Mirror Image Pension Scheme
- Trustee of the Colgate Palmolive Pension Plan
- Royal Mail Group
- Legal & General Assurance Society Limited
- Intact Financial Corporation and RSA Group
- Tata Steel UK
- Centrica Plc
- United Utilities Plc
- Vodafone Group Plc
- Whitbread Plc
- Salvation Army
Work highlights
- Advised Legal & General Assurance Society Limited on its £4.8bn full buy-in with the Boots Pension Scheme.
- Advised the Trustee of the £37bn BT Pension Scheme (BTPS) on the innovative expansion by its wholly owned primary service provider, Brightwell, in opening its pension management capabilities to other defined benefit pension schemes.
- Advised the John Lewis Partnership on reaching agreement with the Trustee of the John Lewis Partnership Trust for Pensions in respect of the 31 March 2022 triennial valuation.
Lawyers
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Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Charles Cameron