Simon has specialised in all aspects of pensions law since the mid-1990s and is a leading lawyer in the UK pensions team.
Experience
Representative matters
Representative matters
Providing advice to, and negotiating on behalf of, the firm’s pension clients, both on the employer and trustee side, in the context of funding and investment, including guarantees, escrow arrangements, security packages and apportionment considerations.
Advising on many bespoke scheme investments, including liability driven investment portfolios, buy ins, buy outs, property holdings and infrastructure projects.
Taking key decisions as director of independent trustee companies, including successfully negotiating significant additional funding for an underfunded defined benefit arrangement falling outside the normal buy-out protections and conducting protracted negotiations with the overseas sponsor of an ongoing defined benefit arrangement with 13,000 members.
Providing advice to, and negotiating on behalf of, the firm’s pension clients, both on the employer and trustee side, in the context of funding and investment, including guarantees, escrow arrangements, security packages and apportionment considerations.
Advising on many bespoke scheme investments, including liability driven investment portfolios, buy ins, buy outs, property holdings and infrastructure projects.
Taking key decisions as director of independent trustee companies, including successfully negotiating significant additional funding for an underfunded defined benefit arrangement falling outside the normal buy-out protections and conducting protracted negotiations with the overseas sponsor of an ongoing defined benefit arrangement with 13,000 members.
Advising on numerous compliance issues in relation to the Pensions Regulator, including clearance applications
Advising both trustees and employers on the pension aspects of corporate transactions.
Providing day-to-day advice on all pensions matters to the trustees of a £7 billion defined benefit arrangement, including work on a new benefit structure with detailed flexible retirement options.
Establishing “alternative” benefit arrangements such as career average revalued earnings schemes and “fixed employer contribution” final salary schemes.
Recognitions
- Selected through peer review for inclusion in The Best Lawyers™ in the United Kingdom for Pensions Practice, 2025
- Ranked in Chambers UK for London Pensions, 2020
Credentials
Education
Education
- University of Cambridge, Queens' College
- College of Law, York
Professional admissions & qualifications
Professional admissions & qualifications
- England and Wales