Department profile
Burges Salmon LLP

Pensions

UK Guide 2026 : UK-wide


Burges Salmon LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Burges Salmon LLP

We have one of the largest Pensions and Lifetime Savings teams in the UK providing exceptional coverage across England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

As a firm we provide a seamless service, supporting pension schemes in all areas of pensions law and also drawing upon the expertise of colleagues in other specialist areas.

Pragmatism, responsiveness, cost-effectiveness and efficiency are at the heart of everything we do. We work in partnership with our clients.

Our established position as technical experts in our field means we advise on the most complex pensions legal issues in a plain English way with a commercial approach.

We advise pension scheme trustees, sponsoring employers, public sector funds, and commercial pension providers. Our clients – some of whom we have been working with for more than 30 years – span the private and public sectors, commercial providers, not-for-profit organisations as well as religious and educational bodies. We also provide specialist UK legal advice to our international clients and coordinate advice across multiple jurisdictions.

Our lawyers sit on pensions industry boards and committees and are members of professional associations.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Pensions - UK-wide

Band 4

Band 4


What the Team is Known For

Burges Salmon is highlighted for its deep expertise in the full spectrum of pensions matters, ranging from funding questions to regulatory compliance. The firm regularly services trustees, as well as offering industry knowledge to both public and private sector organisations. It is adept at handling issues concerning both personal pension schemes and occupational pension schemes. The team is also recognised for its handling of scheme consolidation.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Burges Salmon advised the Honda-Group UK Pension Scheme trustees on a proposal to close the scheme to future accrual.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • I value the team's honesty, pragmatism, transparency, fair value and forward thinking.

    Pensions respondentUK
  • The team are able to address complex issues and make them comprehensible to trustees.

    Pensions respondentUK
  • All of the partners and associates have an extremely pragmatic approach to issues and complex challenges.

    Pensions respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 2Gary Delderfield
    Band 2Gary Delderfield

    Gary Delderfield

    Gary Delderfield advises on a range of pensions matters, including bulk scheme transfers and pension fund mergers, as well as providing advice on contractual obligations during staff transfers.

    • Gary provides clear, strategic guidance.

      Pensions respondentUK
  • Band 3Clive Pugh
    Band 3Clive Pugh

    Clive Pugh

    Clive Pugh has broad experience counselling clients on regulatory compliance, including advice on alleged defined contribution breaches. He also acts on SIPP acquisitions.

    • Clive is a pleasure to work with and always provides timely and well thought through, strong advice.

      Pensions respondentUK
  • Band 3Richard Knight
    Band 3Richard Knight

    Richard Knight

    Richard Knight is head of pensions at Burges Salmon. He has extensive experience providing advice on pension funding arrangements to companies in sectors such as utilities, manufacturing and transport.

    • Richard is an excellent service partner.

      Pensions respondentUK
    • Richard provides timely and pragmatic advice on historic complex issues.

      Pensions respondentUK
  • Band 4Alice Honeywill
    Band 4Alice Honeywill

    Alice Honeywill

    Alice Honeywill provides guidance and support to pension scheme trustees and employer sponsors on matters including master trusts, SIPP acquisitions and scheme mergers.

    • Technically Alice is a wonder.

      Pensions respondentUK
    • Alice is technically sound and easy to work with.

      Pensions respondentUK
  • Band 5Michael Hayles
    Band 5Michael Hayles

    Michael Hayles

    Michael Hayles is an experienced pensions lawyer who assists trustees and sponsor employers with a wide range of contractual and regulatory matters, including in relation to scheme restructuring and bulk transfers.

  • Band 5Susannah Young
    Band 5Susannah Young

    Susannah Young

    Susannah Young is a highly regarded pensions expert who is recognised for her astute representation of pensions trustees. Her work extends to both defined benefit and defined contribution schemes.

Ranked Individuals at Burges Salmon LLP (6)

UK-wide

Members

Provided by Burges Salmon LLP

What success is built on

Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.

Explore thought leadership