CMS is highly regarded for its work in the life, annuity and pension risk transfer transactions space, as well as its specialisation in techfin and insurtech for emerging innovators and start-ups. The group is jointly overseen by both Owen Ross and Pippa Tasker, with Ross bringing significant corporate finance expertise to the group and Tasker being a specialist in techfin businesses within the insurance market. Other notable names within the practice include James Parker, who excels in the pensions de-risking market; Angela Greenough, who is an expert in regulated insurance and financial services outsourcing and complex commercial arrangements; Rizwan Rahman, who is a key name for corporate transactions for insurance clients; and Jenny Nanalal, who shines in capital-driven transactions and associated regulatory matters. Paul Edmondson adds senior expertise.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team has a lot of experience and operates a sensible structure of rotating partner involvement such that each partner gets some downtime between deals and avoids burnout. The team makes good use of support staff whilst maintaining high levels of service.’

  • ‘Thomas Lockley is highly knowledgeable and very smart. James Parker is pragmatic, approachable and easy to work with.’

  • ‘Large team of experts.’

  • 'The team has a broad range of experience that is very useful when looking at new products, product design or the impact of regulatory change. They are very capable of advising, drafting and negotiating on significant contracts.'

Key clients

  • Pension Insurance Corporation
  • Legal & General
  • Phoenix
  • Rothesay
  • Pacific Life
  • RGA
  • Insight
  • MetLife
  • MS Amlin
  • Unum
  • Athora
  • Just Retirement
  • Sanlam
  • Monument Re
  • USQ Risk
  • Warwick Re Limited
  • Resolution Re Ltd
  • Chubb

Work highlights

  • Advised Rothesay on the acquisition of a Scottish Widows £6bn bulk annuity portfolio from Scottish Widows, a member of the Lloyds Banking Group.
  • Advised Resolution Re in relation to reinsuring the longevity risks of approximately 90,000 policyholders and approximately £2bn of individual in-payment UK annuity liabilities.
  • Advised PIC on all aspects of a buy-in transaction with the trustees of the RSA pensions schemes, insuring in total c.£6.5bn of liabilities and covering the pensions of 40,000 members.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
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.

Owen Ross, Pippa Tasker

Other key lawyers

Angela Greenough, Rizwan Rahman, James Parker, Paul Edmondson, Jenny Nanalal, Thomas Lockley, James Geer