Mark Smith

Mark advises employers and trustees on the full range of pensions issues, including pensions disputes. He is recognised as a leading individual in the legal directories for both pensions and pensions disputes.

Clients trust Mark to provide forensic advice that complements and supports their commercial objectives.

Mark acts on the full range of pensions schemes, including schemes of FTSE 100 companies, public sector bodies and charities. He’s also acted as a trustee of several schemes through a trustee company.

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Career

Since 2007	Partner
2002 - 2007	Associate, Taylor Wessing
1998 - 2002	Associate, Edge Ellison

1996 - 1998

Trainee, Edge Ellison

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Education

1998	Admitted as a lawyer, England and Wales
1996	Legal Practice Course, Nottingham Law School
1995	Law degree, Exeter University

Memberships & Associations

Association of Pension Lawyers

Expertise

Services and Groups Employment, pensions & mobility Pensions insolvency Pensions

Sectors Consumer & retail Business & professional services

Experience

Arcadia	Acting on the restructuring and CVA of the Arcadia group (including Top Shop, Top Man and Miss Selfridge).
GBP200m buy in of final salary pension scheme liabilities	A company on a GBP200m buy in (insurance) of the liabilities of its final salary pension scheme, with a view to converting that to a buy out over the coming year. This has effectively rid the company of its final salary pension liabilities, in a manner that ensures the security of the scheme members' benefits.
GBP40m transfer of pension assets	Advised the trustees of two final salary pension schemes on a GBP40m transfer of assets and liabilities into a new master trust. This was an important matter, for both the employer, as part of the rationalisation of its legacy pension arrangements, and the trustees of the two schemes, in ensuring a good outcome for the members of those schemes.

Awards

Chambers and Partners UK 2023	Pensions - Band 3: Mark Smith is head of Taylor Wessing's pensions team. He works with employers and trustees on the full spectrum of pensions law matters. "Mark is a consummate pension specialist." "Mark is extremely knowledgeable and experienced. He is professional and always ensures that there is strong communication so you are aware of what is happening at all times. He is a pleasure to work with."
Legal 500 UK 2023	Pensions (dispute resolution) - Leading Individual: "Mark Smith is that rare thing – a lawyer that even a lay person can understand! Although the issues involved in our pensions dispute were very complex and stretching over many years, Mark was able to succinctly explain them to our board of trustees in a manner that was useful to the professional trustees but also accessible to non-professional trustees like me. His advice steered us successfully to a positive outcome and his patience and professionalism is much appreciated." "Key contact is partner, Mark Smith, who is responsive, professional and excellent at communicating advice and respected by the Trustee Board." "Mark Smith has great knowledge, and gives clear explanations." "Mark Smith is a very hands on and closely engaged partner, to the great benefit of his clients. He thinks out of the box and is a superb client man."
Legal 500 UK 2023	Pensions - Leading Individual: "I work directly with Mark Smith and he is excellent in terms of his advice, guidance and communications. He keeps us updated at all times and explains the various options and implications of each proposal before making recommendations as to the best way forward." "Mark Smith is technically very strong; a deep understanding of the issues and how to resolve them." "Mark Smith is excellent at communication and always focuses on the key issues" "Mark Smith handles our pension matters and is clearly expert in his field. On a personal level we have built a strong relationship which is something I value highly." "Mark Smith is always available to provide advice – sometimes to very challenging deadlines. He works collaboratively with all stakeholders and co-ordinates advice across different specialties and jurisdictions." "The stand out partner for me at Taylor Wessing is Mark Smith. He always pulls out all the stops to deliver the highest level of legal advice to Trustees to ensure they can in turn make informed decisions on a full range of issues. Needless to say Mark and his team are a delight to work with and I value their support and friendship greatly."
Legal 500 UK 2022	Pensions - dispute resolution
Legal 500 UK 2020	Leading individual - Human resources: pensions: non-contentious: 'Mark Smith is extremely diligent in delivering advice in an easy to understand way and is excellent at tackling historic pensions issues', 'the thoroughness of the advice provided is outstanding'
Chambers UK 2019	Leading individual - Pensions Litigation (Band 3)
Chambers UK 2019	Leading individual - Pensions (Band 3)
Chambers UK 2018	Leading individual - Pensions (Band 3): Mark Smith handles regulatory and transactional matters for both trustees and sponsors. Sources say: "He has deep knowledge of pensions and provides well thought-out advice. He is excellent at finding practical answers, inspires total confidence, and has a fast response time."
Chambers UK 2018	Leading individual - Pensions Litigation (Band 3)