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Corporate Advisory services

Unlocking value for your business

For many companies, pension schemes are a key stakeholder in the business and a value driver.  

If your company has a defined benefit (DB) pension scheme, you might have previously navigated large deficits requiring significant capital to close the gap. Fortunately, the rise in interest rates has improved funding levels. But in a rapidly evolving pensions market, new challenges and opportunities mean there are still complex decisions for management teams to work through. For example:  

  • Do you need to revisit your scheme’s funding and investment strategy given an improvement in your funding position? 
  • How should you engage with the scheme trustees during corporate activity?  
  • How can you align the corporate and scheme’s approach to sustainability?  
  • What endgame options are available, and what’s the right one for your company?  

We are a group of leading pensions specialists with a unique blend of corporate finance and investment expertise. With our in-depth understanding of the regulatory environment and pension scheme dynamics, we help you identify the right pensions solutions and reduce your pension risk. Unlocking real value for your business. 

  • Corporate finance & investment expertise

    We bring a blend of corporate finance and investment expertise, so we are best placed to help you maximise value.

  • Investment expertise from asset managers in-house

    As a Group we manage assets for our pension scheme clients, so we know how to generate stable returns and manage risk

  • Breadth & depth of expertise

    We advise over 300 pension schemes, giving us a thorough understanding of the trustee mindset and approach to risk

  • Independent strategic advice

    We are solutions agnostic, so will work with you to shape an outcome that is best for your stakeholders and your business

Our new 2023 CFO report

New world, new decisions

Our new report, New world, new decisions, reveals proprietary insights into key areas of interest to UK CFOs and senior executives on the challenges and opportunities for their Defined Benefit (DB) pension schemes. This comes at a time where improved funding positions and burgeoning pension surpluses has created a new set of dilemmas for corporates.  

Download the report

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Corporate events

Defined benefit (DB) pension schemes can be one of the largest stakeholders of a company and their size and risks are rarely publicly disclosed. Understanding the true position of the scheme can unlock value in a corporate deal. The legislation on DB pensions is complex: the ‘right’ answer is never clear and is often situation-specific. Corporate finance and restructuring skillsets are required to consider the ongoing impact of a transaction on covenant.

 

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Pensions M&A advisory

With over £2.3 billion in liabilities, UK defined benefit (DB) pension schemes remain a provider of pension benefits to a large proportion of the UK population. These schemes are complex to run, with advice and support required from a wide range of professionals and providers including legal, corporate finance, actuarial, investment, administration, governance, data specialists and many more.

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ESG and sustainability integration

Most pension scheme sponsors face challenges from environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors – climate change in particular. While much time and energy has been spent to date on identifying sustainable investment vehicles, trustees and sponsors alike are now also beginning to think about the impact of ESG risks on the employer covenant.

 

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Special situations

If you’ve even been involved in restructuring a business with a defined benefit (DB) pension scheme, you’ll know just how complex it is. Apart from requiring specialist expertise, the process also needs up-to-date knowledge of the changing regulatory landscape – especially these days, with the increasing likelihood of regulatory intervention (highlighted by the Pensions Schemes Act 2021, which introduces the risk of personal criminal offences).

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