James Saddler

With over 15 years of specialist experience, James advises employers and trustees on complex pensions issues across both defined benefit and defined contribution arrangements, providing clear, commercially focused guidance that helps clients manage risk and navigate regulatory demands with confidence. He also works collaboratively with other law firms, particularly employment and corporate teams, offering practical, specialist pensions insight that supports their clients’ broader commercial and strategic objectives.

James is widely recognised for his expertise in pensions regulatory issues and the pensions aspects of corporate restructurings. This has included advising on The Pensions Regulator’s anti-avoidance powers, clearance applications, apportionment agreements, Schemes of Arrangement, PPF‑related solutions and insolvency scenarios.

More recently, James has been advising employer and trustee clients on risk transfer solutions, most typically bulk annuity transactions with insurance companies (i.e., buy-ins and buyouts).

James is a regular speaker at industry events and professional forums, sharing practical insight on pensions law developments with legal, actuarial and trustee audiences.

James is a full member of the Association of Pension Lawyers and holds EPMI membership with the Pensions Management Institute.