The Manchester-based practice at Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP is ‘strongly recommended for its exceptional expertise in pensions law’. The team is well-placed to assist its portfolio of clients, which is formed of employers, pension schemes, insurers and public authorities, with the full remit of domestic and international pensions issues. Team lead Ele Lovering‘s workload includes providing strategic advice to trustees and employers, and handling pensions issues arising from corporate restructurings, scheme mergers and scheme funding solutions. Simon Daniel‘s is well equipped to advise on pensions bulk annuity transactions, while recently promoted partner Amanda Small assists with defined benefit and defined contributions matters. Helen May assists sector-spanning clients on DB and hybrid arrangements.

The Manchester team at Hill Dickinson LLP is well-equipped to advise its client roster, the list of which features the trustees of the array of schemes, funds and plans, on pensions aspects of significant and high-value corporate transactions including M&A and distress scenarios. Further, it is experienced in assisting with buy-in projects, alternative funding solutions and proposals. The team’s workload spans the hospitality, aviation and life sciences sectors. Barry Gibb leads the practice and has a workload which includes assisting with the restructuring of schemes and the implementation of funding solutions. Paula Warnock ‘instils confidence in clients’ and is a name to note for her expertise assisting both trustees and corporate clients in respect of pensions aspects of imminent insolvencies, major refinancings and buy-outs. Charlotte Killeen and Frances Bailey are also recommended in the team.

The group at Pinsent Masons LLP is ‘thoroughly recommended’ by its portfolio of clients, which is formed of complex pension schemes, financial institutions, insurance companies and professional trustee firms, among others. The team is led by the ‘excellent’ Stephen Scholefield, who is well-placed to advise on day-to-day issues and strategy decisions, as well as defined benefit and defined contribution schemes. Names to note include Robert Tellwright, who specialises in buy-ins, buy-outs and longevity hedging matters; Hayley Goldstone, who has expertise in complex pension litigation; and Pippa Read, who is well equipped to advise on the full range of complex schemes. Heather Lucas handles scheme reorganisations. The Manchester-based group was bolstered in 2024 with the arrivals of Ian Mylrea and Siu Yin Ho; both joined from Brabners LLP in December and July, respectively.

The Manchester-based team at CMS is formed of practitioners who harness ‘top-end talent’, according to clients. The team advises trustees of pension plans across the variety of industry sectors in high-value matters, from day-to-day advisory work, to advising on scheme mergers, surplus issues, asset-backed funding arrangements and restructurings. Alexandra Tomlinson is well-equipped to advise on the running of schemes, and is also experienced handling contentious cases. Team lead Tim Green is ‘at the top of his game’ and is well-placed to handle pensions matters in both advisory and contentious contexts.

Fieldfisher‘s team in Manchester is well-equipped to assist its clients, the list of which features employers and trustees, with the full remit of complex and high-value pensions matters. Lindsay O’Farrell joined the team in April 2024 and has a particular specialism in sponsoring employers of occupational pension schemes. Katie Whelan‘s workload includes advising on the pension aspects of corporate transactions, preparing documentation and advising on scheme rules and pensions legislation. Jeremy Harris harnesses 30 years’ experience handling the plethora of work, including high-value buy-ins and buy-outs, and helms the team.

The practice at Squire Patton Boggs in Manchester is well-equipped to assist its clients in pensions matters, from the launch of complex plans to strategy issues. Industry sectors its workload covers range from the engineering and manufacturing industries, to the telecoms space. Victoria Leigh is well-regarded for her capabilities handling the breadth of pensions litigation and heads up the team in Manchester. Notably, Leigh advised a beneficiary of a pension scheme sponsored by Virgin Media in the Virgin Media v NTL Pensions Trustees 2024 Court of Appeal case, with support from Daniel Ajuh.

The Liverpool-based practice at Weightmans LLP has capabilities handling the full range of complex pensions matters for its broad client base, which features private sector employers, trustees and pension providers, as well as health, emergency services, education, and local and central government clients. Mark Poulston is at the team’s helm and harnesses expertise in insurance products, advising on the pensions aspects of insurance schemes from establishment through to termination. A substantial portion of Philip Woolham’s workload is also formed of complex public sector cases.

Deloitte LLP‘s practice offers a ‘very personal service’ to its clients. The team is led from Manchester by Claire Bell, who is experienced in advising the full remit of clients on matters ranging from buy-in transactions to surplus issues. Beth Casinelli is a key name in the team with expertise advising on the regulatory and compliance aspects of pensions work, as well as buy-ins, buy-outs and corporate support cases.

‘Doyen of North West pensions’ Patrick Kennedy has noteworthy capabilities handling complex buy-ins and buy-outs. Kennedy heads up the Manchester-based team at Gateley Legal, which is well-placed to assist its diverse client roster with a variety of pensions matters. Its cases include reviewing complex historic documentation, assessing investment strategies relating to pension schemes, and securing buy-ins. Stuart Evans is considered ‘an absolute delight to work with’ and Becky Ryding is regarded as ‘an excellent all-round lawyer’ by clients.

gunnercooke LLP‘s team is well-placed to assist various clients in relation to pension scheme management and corporate transaction-related pension issues of significant value. ‘Specialist in his field’ Suresh Bhatt is the key practitioner in Manchester with capabilities in small scheme risk settlement matters in particular.

The Manchester-based practice at Shoosmiths LLP is well-equipped to advise its roster of clients, which includes employers, trustees and managers of SIPP and SSAS arrangements, on various pension issues. Paul Carney is noted for his ‘brilliant technical ability’ and his workload includes assisting with complex occupational pension mergers, exits from centralised pension schemes, and buy-in and buy-out cases. Alexandra Ventham advises trustees on multi-section schemes with the array of benefit structures.

TLT’s Salford-based group has capabilities handling the breadth of pensions matters for its portfolio of clients, which features well-known names. SIPP and SSAS scheme-related matters, and niche issues relating to FURBS are particular areas of strength of Damien Garrould, while Tom Green has expertise advising trustees and employers on defined benefit and defined contribution schemes. Kate Beech is also recommended.