Pensions

Eversheds Sutherland has a strong pensions practice in Birmingham, offering deep expertise across a wide variety of matters including public sector pension issues and master trusts. The firm frequently advises on the pensions implications of both national and international corporate transactions. It handles complex matters including equalisation and scheme finance, among others. Members of the team act for an array of clients, including scheme trustees and large public sector sponsors.

"Eversheds has a broad team that is able to handle multiple complex projects."

"The team has an ability to explain complex legislation using plain English."

"Not only are they at the forefront of new pensions legislation but they also are able to translate the law so that it is understandable by lay people."

Eversheds Sutherland advised Siemens on the transfer of its UK defined contribution pension arrangements in the Siemens Benefits Scheme to the Standard Life Master Trust.

Emma King is head of Eversheds' Midlands pensions team. She is held in high regard for her expertise in pension scheme matters including scheme establishments, restructurings and closures to future accrual, advising both trustees and corporate sponsors. She also acts on authorisations for master trusts and scheme amendments. "She is a very strategic lawyer and delivers strategic key advice to clients." "Emma always looks to find solutions and is very pragmatic and user-friendly."

Gary Delderfield acts on public sector pensions matters including bulk scheme transfers and pension fund mergers as well as providing advice on contractual obligations during staff transfers. "Gary is a top-rated public sector pensions lawyer." "The best public sector lawyer in the UK."

Georgina Rankin assists trustees and corporate sponsors with master trust authorisation, buy-ins, scheme amendments and liability management exercises.

Sarah Franklin acts for trustees and sponsors on occupational pension scheme matters such as master trusts and defined benefit scheme transfers as well as liabilities following scheme closures. She is noted for her expertise in the higher education sector and heads Eversheds' education sector pensions team.

James Ellis advises employers and trustees on all manner of liability management exercises, the treatment of pension schemes in mergers and acquisitions, buy-ins/outs and GDPR considerations. "I've always found James very pragmatic. He thinks of himself as a trustee so he can put himself in their shoes."