Chris Brown Partner

Chris is a partner in the pensions team and advises pension trustees and companies on all pensions legal issues

His work includes various large projects (bulk transfers, corporate restructuring, valuation negotiations, benefit design changes, liability management and buy-ins/outs) and he has particular expertise in regulatory matters. He has significant experience of advising on anti-avoidance cases.

He supports employers with their pensions obligations and risks (including advising on the “notifiable events” disclosure regime and the new regulatory powers coming from the Pension Schemes Act 2021).  

Chris also supports trustees with 'business as usual' matters e.g. member and documentation queries. He enjoys delivering training and is a regular public speaker, including at the firm’s flagship 'Hot Topics' pensions seminars and at events held by others.

Chris joined Burges Salmon as a trainee in 2009 and is a full member of the Association of Pension Lawyers. 

• Advising trustees on a moral hazard investigation which resulted in a high profile settlement with the Coats Group.
• Advising the trustees of the Silentnight Group DB Scheme on the high-profile moral hazard investigation.
• Advising a high-profile trustee client on a scheme merger that has created a c£2bn scheme.
• Advising schemes with charitable/not-for-profit covenants on innovate and bespoke funding solutions (including for schemes with £1bn+ assets)
• Advising trustees of the London Luton Airport Pension Scheme on all pensions matters.
• Advising a European headquartered multi-national group on options for their distressed UK subsidiary’s pensions obligations.
• Advising on multiple scheme closure projects (including on the final salary link) restructuring and funding projects.
• Advising trustees of smaller schemes (e.g. approx. £10m - £25m in size) on pragmatic approaches to mitigate funding and covenant issues.