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Matthew Swynnerton

Partner
London
About

Matthew Swynnerton advises on all aspects of pensions law, including corporate and bulk annuity transactions, reorganisations, benefit redesign and liability management projects, reviewing and updating scheme documentation and advising trustees and employers on their legislative and trust law duties.

Matthew drafted key legal sections of the Combatting Pension Scams Code of Practice, which received widespread praise from the Pensions Regulator, the Pensions Ombudsman and the Pensions Minister. Matthew has been described by a leading pensions QC as having "an extensive knowledge of pensions law and practice, very sound legal judgement and good commercial sense.” The current edition of the Legal 500 states that he is "praised by clients as 'highly responsible and approachable' and 'able to demonstrate a deep knowledge of pensions law which he deploys with great pragmatism'".

Matthew heads the London Pensions team.

Areas of FocusEmployment
Professional QualificationsSolicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales

EXPERIENCE

  • Advising trustees and employers on benefit redesign issues including conversion from DB to DC accrual, closure to new entrants, termination of future accrual buy-ins and buy-outs and ETV exercises
  • Advising the trustees of RSA's pension scheme on its pioneering GBP1.9 billion longevity risk swap arrangement with Goldman Sachs and Rothesay Life, at the time the largest ever deal of its kind in the UK
  • Advising CKI on the highly-complex pensions aspects of its GBP5.8 billion acquisition of UK Power Networks from EDF, including regulatory issues, multiple bulk transfers, sectionalisations, clearance and complex mitigation agreements with two sets of trustees
  • Advising the Alternative Hotels Group on the pension aspects of its GBP650 million debt for equity swap with Bank of Scotland in respect of De Vere Hotels, at the time the largest ever debt for equity swap in UK corporate history
  • Advising GE on the pension aspects of the disposal of its TIP trailer business to HNA Group in China, including co-ordinating pensions advice across 16 jurisdictions outside the UK
  • As a member of the industry-wide Pension Liberation Industry Group, providing technical input on the creation of a key Code of Practice to assist trustees faced with pension liberation cases

Education
  • Birmingham University, Law LLB Hons

Publications

Matthew regularly contributes articles to the trade press, including Engaged Investor, Professional Pensions and Pensions Age. Matthew is a member of the Pension Liberation Industry Group, working alongside key industry figures as the sole legal adviser in creating a Code of Practice for trustees and administrators in this complex area.

Seminars

Matthew is a regular speaker at seminars and conferences and is regularly invited to join judging panels for industry awards.

Matthew chairs the Association of Pensions Lawyers' Benefit Redesign and Liability Management Course and has organised and spoken at APL annual conferences. 

Memberships And Affiliations

  • Association of Pension Lawyers - full member
  • Association of Pension Lawyers North East Sub-Committee - Chairman
  • Association of Pension Lawyers Education & Seminars Sub-Committee - committee member

My latest insights

News
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DLA Piper advises John Menzies on its recommended cash offer

29 March 2022 .4 minute read

Publication
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Winter Economy Plan - Pensions

5 October 2020 .2 minute read

Connect

Phone

+44 (0)20 7796 6143
(Work, London)
+44 (0)7968 559 032
(Work)
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