Baker McKenzie‘s ’experienced’ pensions team is engaged on a range of complex matters, drawing upon the firm’s wealth of expertise across other departments, providing a ‘very consistent’ approach for both international and domestic clients and trustees. The team is led by the highly experienced Arron Slocombe, who covers the full spectrum of mandates, including buyouts and liability management issues, scheme mergers and regulatory clearance work. He is supported by Jeanette Holland, who regularly manages large-scale restructurings and projects involving the mitigation of pensions risks. Jonathan Sharp is a key contact for pensions advice in a multijurisdictional context, while Tom McNaughton advises both pension scheme trustees and the sponsoring employers across a wide range of industries. Danielle Klinger routinely assists international clients with the pension aspects of acquisitions and divestitures.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Experienced and unflappable with good continuity. They are very consistent in their approach.’

  • 'They give timely and clear advice that covers the points that were originally raised and indicate what possible consequences there might be.'

  • 'The team at Baker McKenzie are all very experienced and knowledgeable. We can be sure that if the matter in hand is more relevant to another member of the team, they will be recommended.'

  • 'Our pension lawyer is Arron Slocombe. He has become a very important member of our Trustee Board and we seek his advice on everything we feel we need a second opinion on. Arron does not make a drama out of a crisis and he is calm under pressure, which he gets a lot of from our board. I would rate Arron above any other lawyer I have come across.'

Key clients

  • Accenture
  • Arqiva Trustees
  • Atos
  • Avis Trustees
  • Baker Hughes
  • British Land
  • Cameron Trustees
  • Chr Hansen Holding A/S
  • DXC Trustees
  • Emerson Electric
  • GSK
  • KKR & Co. Inc.
  • JPMorgan Pension Fund Trustees - of two pension funds
  • McDermott
  • Merchant Navy Officers Pension
  • Orange (France Telecom)
  • PerkinElmer
  • Punter Southall Pension Solutions Limited and trustees of the Stoneport Pension Scheme
  • Rio Tinto
  • Spirent Plan Trustees
  • Standard Life DC Master Trust
  • Tyco Electronics UK Pension Plan
  • Workday
  • Walgreen Boots Alliance

Work highlights

  • Advising the Trustee of PerkinElmer on a £130m buy-in of all the Scheme’s assets with Standard Life, insuring 900 members.
  • Advising the Trustee of the Emerson UK Pension Plan in relation to the buy-out of a segregated section of the Emerson UK Pension Plan with JUST and wind up.
  • Advising the trustee on securing 1,353 members fully with Pension Insurance Corporation in a £142m deal, including advising on benefit matters and preparation for scheme conversion to buy-out.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Arron Slocombe

Other key lawyers

Jonathon Sharp, Jeanette Holland, Tom McNaughton, Danielle Klinger