Independent UK law firm Burges Salmon has been shortlisted in the ‘Law Firm of the Year’, ‘Innovation Award’, and ‘Diversity Award’ categories at the 2023 European Pensions Awards.
The European Pensions Awards recognise and honour the investment firms, consultancies and pension providers across Europe that have set the professional standards to best serve European pension funds over the past year.
Burges Salmon’s nomination for Law Firm of the Year is in respect of the firm having supported a number of schemes that were in difficult circumstances. While legal issues are often complex, the firm takes a pragmatic and cost effective approach and presents complex matters in an accessible way to facilitate effective and informed decision-making and, ultimately, protect schemes and members.
Burges Salmon is passionate about providing practical support to the pensions industry to improve the general understanding of often complex issues and as such, the firm has also been nominated for the Innovation Award. Last year, Burges Salmon built on the positive response to its Pension Schemes Act Triage Tool by considering which other areas it felt the industry could benefit from more guidance on. The firm developed its innovative Pension Schemes ESG Tool which helps trustees and employers navigate the law and guidance surrounding ESG and identify which issues they may want to consider further. It simplifies what can be a complex issue and takes the mystery out of ESG requirements and expectations.
The firm’s nomination for the Diversity Award is in respect of the firm’s open, collaborative and inclusive culture, enabling Burges Salmon to recruit, retain and motivate the highest calibre of people. As a result of the firm’s efforts in this area, in its latest People Survey, 98% of respondents said that the firm has an open and inclusive culture. The firm has also been recognised as a Times Top 50 Employer for Women and a Top 75 Social Mobility Employer, as well as being nominated for the ‘Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing award’ at the Bristol Law Society Awards 2022. The firm was also named the RollOnFriday ‘Best Law Firm to Work at 2023’ for the second year running.
Burges Salmon partner Richard Knight, who heads the firm’s Pensions team, says: “Throughout the year, we have worked hard as a firm to foster a positive culture and provide our clients with high levels of service that we have built a strong reputation for delivering. It is fantastic to receive this recognition across these three important categories.”
Burges Salmon has one of the largest Pensions teams in the country, with over 40 lawyers, including eight partners, practising pensions full time as part of a national team advising pension scheme trustees and employers in the UK and Europe. Its established position means the firm can advise on the most complex legal issues as well as the equally important day-to-day problems that its clients face.
The winners will be announced on 6 July 2023.