Gowling WLG
Gowling WLG‘s non-contentious pensions practice is headed by Birmingham-based Elizabeth Gane, with support from defined contribution expert Joanne Tibbott, the ’approachable and knowledgeable' Jason Coates, and pensions risk transfer specialist Paul Feathers. The practice’s client base includes trustees of large schemes and employers, who the team frequently advises on longevity swaps and other general pensions issues. Recent examples of the team's work includes advising on issues relating to GMP equalisation, managing the liabilities of schemes, and advising on defined benefit and defined contribution scheme matters. Associates Sarah Tate and Sara Chambers are also recommended.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Cohesive team which works well together and ensures the issues are dealt with at the right level, thereby charging on the most cost-effective basis.’
‘Jason Coates is approachable and knowledgeable.’
‘A very close-knit and reliable team who guide us through challenging issues.’
‘Joanne Tibbott provides a caring, thoughtful, and proportionate service to ensure advice strikes the right balance between giving you what is required and adequately covering the issues concerned without going over-the-top on detail. Joanne is more than ably supported by Sarah Tate, who efficiently deals with our requirements and helps us correctly solve legal problems.’
‘The team is commercial, available and really work as part of the scheme team. This applies across the team at all levels, and is refreshing. Fee conversations are timely, transparent and proportionate.’
‘Paul Feathers is great to deal with and is very solutions-driven. Sarah Tate is thorough and extremely knowledgeable.’
Key clients
- Employment Conditions Abroad Retirement Benefits Scheme (ECARBS)
- Unisys UK Pension Trustee Limited (UUKPTL)
- The Trustee of the Flour Milling & Baking Research Association Pension and Assurance Scheme
- TM Pension Trustees Limited (TMPTL)
- Thales UK Pension Scheme
- Admenta
Work highlights
- Appointed by the Unisys UK Pensions Trustees to act as legal adviser to the Unisys Pension Scheme, the Unisys Payment Services Limited Pension Scheme and the Unisys Public Sector Pension Scheme, schemes with £1bn of assets in aggregate.
- Advised the Trustee of the TM Group Pension Scheme and TM Pension Plan, two pension schemes operated by McColl's Group plc, on a variety of pensions issues.
- Advised Rothesay on a complex multi-billion buy-in/buy-out.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Elizabeth Gane