Pensions

Osborne Clarke LLP

Osborne Clarke LLP‘s team has extensive expertise handling PPFs and transactions, including buy-ins and buy-outs, in addition to pensions disputes. The team also has a sizeable presence in public sector pensions, where the team advises a number of LGPS funds. Spending his time between Bristol and London, practice head Jonathan Hazlett has experience acting for employers and trustees across all aspects of pensions law including insolvencies and restructurings, securing members’ benefits, and alternative risk transfer mandates. Paul Matthews specialises in handling pensions advisory work for large schemes, and Brent Wright is recommended for the pensions aspects of corporate transactions. For employment-related pension matters, Claire Rankin is a key name, while Tobias Hole advises on risk transfer projects.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Availability, thoroughness, commercial approach.'
‘Excellent practical help, proactive and cover the ground efficiently.’
‘Claire Rankin, doesn't let go and with complex issues that is a great approach, no stone left unturned.'
'The team - good solutions without fuss, very user friendly.’
‘Joe Webster is the perfect in-house lawyer to be found in private practice. He is technically excellent, extremely responsive, explains things clearly, understands my business and resourcing, and is just a joy to deal with. It feels like he is a member of our in-house team. Problems are easily resolvable when shared with Joe.’

Key clients

Thomas Cook Pension Plan
Pension Protection Fund
T&N Retirement Benefits Scheme (1989)
Leonardo UK Limited
Hammerson Group Management Limited Pension and Life Assurance Scheme
Royal Society of Chemistry
Baptist Union of Great Britain
British Red Cross Society
YMCA Pension and Assurance Plan
Cross Manufacturing Pension Scheme
Ameresco Limited
Mabey Pension Scheme
RM plc
BCA Pension Plan
L'Oreal (UK) Limited Retirement Benefits Plan
Lincoln Staff Benefits Plan
Multivac Pension Plan
Askews Retirement Scheme

Work highlights

Acted as trustee adviser in relation to the Thomas Cook Pension Plan and three associated schemes, on PPF assessment period processes and PPF+ buy-ins, buy-outs and wind-ups.
Advising Leonardo in relation to: (i) the closure of its two (£1bn+) DB pension schemes to the future accrual of benefits; and (ii) the adoption of a single trustee board across its two DB pension schemes and its DC pension scheme.