Sackers announces promotions for 2021

Sackers today announced its 2021 promotions: Nigel Cayless has been promoted to senior counsel; Sonya Fraser, James Geer, Sarah Henderson and Oliver Topping have been promoted to associate director; and Aaron Dunning-Foreman, Liam Goulding and Lucy Swart-Mallett have been promoted to senior associate.

The promotions take effect on 1 August 2021.

Announcing the promotions, David Saunders, senior partner elect, said: “Our people are our greatest asset, so we are delighted to recognise the achievement of these individuals. After such a challenging 18 months, our clients can be confident that they are receiving the very best quality of advice and service from committed lawyers who really enjoy what they do.”

Nigel Cayless is an experienced pensions lawyer who advises trustee and employer clients in a range of sectors on all aspects of pensions law. Recent work has included advice on various distressed scheme scenarios including the use of a CIGA restructuring plan, a number of closure to future accrual projects, and transfers to both DC and DB master trusts. Nigel is also a key member of the firm’s distressed schemes and governance teams.

Sonya Fraser is a senior pensions lawyer who advises trustees on a wide range of DB and DC issues. She has recent experience of advising on a number of complex GMP equalisation, conversion and retirement options projects as well as endgame planning and risk transfer projects. She has a particular interest in DB consolidators and has recent experience advising potential investors on the new regime and structures.

James Geer is a senior finance lawyer with a background in derivatives and financial regulation. He joined Sackers from a magic circle firm in 2019 and is a core member of the firm’s finance and investment team. He advises on a broad range of matters including the set up of new investment arrangements, asset transitions and restructurings, financial support arrangements, custody, collateral and risk transfer transactions.

Sarah Henderson is a senior pensions lawyer. She advises trustees, insurers and providers on how to get pensions law and regulation right for all types of schemes. She has a particular interest in pension risk transfers and data protection and cyber security issues for pension schemes.

Oliver Topping is a senior pensions lawyer who advises trustee and employer clients on all aspects of pensions law. Recent experience includes advising on the implications of the McCloud judgment on age discrimination and providing legal input on complex points arising during GMP equalisation exercises. Oliver is a frequent speaker on DC issues and has a particular interest in data protection issues.

Aaron Dunning-Foreman is a pensions litigator who advises on all aspects of High Court litigation. He also has extensive experience of advising on member complaints under IDRP and before the Pensions Ombudsman, and dealings with the ICO. Aaron has been named as a rising star by Legal 500 for the last couple of years.

Liam Goulding advises trustees and employers on a broad range of DB and DC issues. He advises on benefit changes, mergers and scheme closures. He also has a particular focus on advising employers on the pensions-related aspects of corporate transactions and The Pensions Regulator’s moral hazard regime.

Lucy Swart-Mallett is a member of Sackers market leading Know-how team, whose responsibility it is to keep Sackers lawyers and clients up to date with recent legislative and regulatory developments in the pensions world. She is involved in producing the quarterly Finance & Investment Briefing and the acclaimed ESG and climate change client guides.

Please see further coverage in Professional Pensions and in Institutional Asset Manager.