“Pensions law is one of the most interesting areas of practice. You experience a rich mix of the law affecting the commercial and investment areas in which a pension scheme is involved and also the issues affecting individual members. There is nothing else like it in the law.”

A recognised pensions law expert, Andrew has specialised in pensions law since 1985. He is particularly noted for his work in electricity supply and distribution industry pensions and obligations.

He advises trustees of major occupational pension schemes, and private and public companies, on the full spectrum of pensions law issues. His specialist interests include pensions liability and risk management and de-risking, buy-in and buy-out insurance, benefit design and change, acquisitions and disposals, pension scheme restructurings, winding up pension schemes, and employer financed retirement benefit schemes.

Andrew was involved in the pensions aspects of electricity privatisation in the UK, and was one of the architects of the protections provided for electricity industry pensions through the Electricity Act 1989 and the Electricity Protected Persons Regulations. He has acted on a number of ground-breaking pensions arrangements, including advising the Trustee of the ScottishPower pension scheme’s £2 billion longevity swap – a relatively new and complex financial instrument.

Areas of practice include:

Sector experience includes:

Admitted

1989: Scotland
1981: England and Wales

Relevant experience

Advising a range of Trustees of pension schemes and employers on ongoing basis.
Advising on the pension aspects of the sale of Scottish Power’s Generation business to Drax and of the SSE sale of its Retail business to OVO.
Advising on numerous deficit liability management exercises and strategies including pension transfer inducements, partial buy-outs and buy-ins, switch to CARE accrual, longevity risk management, asset backed funding arrangements and changing benefit terms for future service.

“Professional, approachable and extremely competent.”

Stephen Yandle, Chair Universal Music Group Pension Scheme.

Further testimonials

“He is very quick to respond to complex matters and offers pragmatic advice.”

Chambers (2019)

Further information:

Recognition and memberships

Leading Individual, Legal 500 (2024)
Committee Member, Pensions & Lifetime Savings Association (formerly NAPF), Scottish Group (2000)
Member, Law Society of Scotland, Pension Law Specialist Accreditation Committee (1999)
Member, Association of Pension Lawyers (Past Chair Scottish Group) (1985)