About James
James has over 20 years experience advising on all pensions-related matters including pension scheme funding and derisking, bulk annuity transactions, corporate restructurings/M&A and public sector pensions. His clients include sponsoring employers, trustees and pensions administrators.
On the M&A front, James has particular expertise advising on cross-border transactions, having recently advised a US based client on a pensions restructuring involving its UK defined benefit pension scheme and in relation to a complex transaction involving entities in the UK, US, Luxembourg and South Korea. James has advised on many pension change projects over the years, including closures to new members and to accrual as well as benefit changes.
James is recognised as a leading individual in the pensions field in the legal directories, with clients describing him as having a “highly approachable and commercial” style.
James is also listed as a Leading Individual in Chambers & Partners (2026 edition).
Contact James
Call: 0345 009 7193
Mobile: 0782 177 7717
Notable work & expertise
Recent work
- Implementing a Crown Guarantee for a circa £1.5 billion pension scheme connected to critical UK infrastructure
- Advising an international business on the allocation of a circa £300 million surplus arising from a bulk annuity transaction connected to the UK sponsoring employer’s defined benefit pension scheme
- Advising an international automotive company in relation to its cessation of participation in a multi-employer pension scheme and establishment of new UK arrangements, including negotiations relating to a potential section 75 debt with the trustees and sponsoring employer of the scheme
- Advising the trustees of a circa £450 million pension scheme on a proposal to substitute the principal employer of the scheme, leading advice from Korea, the UK and Luxembourg and the involvement of the Pensions Regulator
- Ongoing advice to the sponsoring employer of a circa £1.5 billion pension scheme
Testimonials
"James is highly knowledgeable and extremely supportive in his approach. He has an intrinsic ability to balance legislative requirements with the c...
Chambers & Partners, 2024
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