Pensions
UK Guide 2025 : Thames Valley
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(03700) 868300About
Provided by Shoosmiths LLP
Our team of pension lawyers is well-established, operating nationally over several locations. We advise clients on a broad mix of business pension matters ranging from advice on benefit queries to major projects such as scheme wind-ups.
Our advice combines sound legal analysis with an understanding of the factual background. Whether advising the trustees or the scheme sponsor, we strive to provide workable solutions for you. We do not want to provide you with a thesis; we want to provide you with a practical recommendation.
As a leading pensions law firm, we advise in relation to more than 200 occupational pension schemes - ranging from £1m to more than £1bn in size.
Our experience covers a broad variety of scheme types, including defined benefit (both final salary and career average schemes), defined contribution and hybrid schemes.
We advise trustees and sponsoring employers, and can bring our understanding of both perspectives to inform our advice and assist in any negotiations.
As part of a full service commercial firm, clients can also draw on the expertise of our colleagues in other practice areas, such as employment, corporate, banking, insolvency and real estate. This means we can provide a first-class, joined up service. Our specialist pensions disputes team is also available to advise you.
We are also able to advise on life assurance plans and alternative pensions arrangements such as small self-administered schemes, and self-invested personal pension plans.
Chambers Review
Shoosmiths has a broad practice covering the full spectrum of pensions matters, ranging from advice on corporate transactions through to the closure of defined benefit schemes. The firm's expertise spans issues such as buy-ins, buyouts and reorganisations. The firm is adept at working with those in the not-for-profit, manufacturing and technology sectors, among others.
Work Highlights
- Shoosmiths advised the Trustees of Kesslers Group Pension Plan on a risk transfer exercise and GMP equalisation.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Shoosmiths provide complete and helpful advice in a timely manner."
"Their advice is clear and well written, and is often accompanied by a verbal run-through to provide additional clarification and answer any queries raised."
"Shoosmiths are first-rate black-letter technical lawyers."
"Shoosmiths provide complete and helpful advice in a timely manner."
"Their advice is clear and well written, and is often accompanied by a verbal run-through to provide additional clarification and answer any queries raised."
"Shoosmiths are first-rate black-letter technical lawyers."
Notable Practitioners
Heather Chandler provides support and guidance to trustees on bulk transfers, buy-ins and GMP equalisation.
"Heather is very diligent, which is really important when you are looking at anything transactional."
"Heather is very to the point, picks out the key issues and focuses on the key points of interest - she finds the right solutions quickly."
"Heather is very well respected and has always provided a full and comprehensive service."
"Heather has provided clear advice for all pensions matters."
Suzanne Burrell acts on GMP equalisation, bulk transfers and scheme closure, advising both trustees and employer sponsors.
Sarah Jenkins counsels trustees on investment decisions, restructuring implications and bulk transfers.
"Sarah is very easy to work with and is very responsive to request for advice."
"Sarah has a real eye for detail and is technically excellent."
Ranked Lawyers at
Shoosmiths LLP
Thames Valley
Clients
Provided by Shoosmiths LLP
Hewlett Packard (company appointment)
Inmarsat Pension Plan
Trustees of the Diversey Pension Scheme
Trustees of the Electrium Pension Scheme
Trustees of the RNIB Retirement Benefits Plan