New pensions head and new partner for CMS announced as tripartite merger goes live

London, 2 May. International law firm CMS is pleased to announce that Mark Grant has been appointed to lead its UK Pensions group, taking over from Nigel Moore who has decided to step down from his role after some 20 successful years at the helm. Nigel will continue to work for CMS as a consultant. He will also be taking on some independent trusteeships.

Mark Grant comments: “I am delighted to be taking the reins from Nigel who has been a tremendous leader and has built up the team to become one of the UK's leading pensions law practices through an unstinting commitment to client service and innovation.”

London-based Mark Grant has been at the firm for 27 years. He sits on the Main Committee of the APL and chairs the Pensions Ombudsman’s Liaison Group. Mark represents clients from across a range of industry sectors, including the trustees of the pension schemes of Taylor Wimpey and Heineken.

The team’s firepower is further boosted by the promotion to partner of Caroline Kurup. With almost 10 years of experience in pensions law, Caroline has experience in corporate transactions, in the distressed context as well as disposals and outsourcings, and has years of experience advising trustee clients and corporates on the day to day running of defined benefit pension schemes. She has a particular interest in de-risking products and cutting edge investments and has worked on a number of asset-backed funding structures, longevity swaps and buy-ins.

These appointments coincide with the completion of the firm’s groundbreaking merger with Nabarro and Olswang, effective 1 May, which will increase the team’s capacity by 25%, making it the largest full service pensions law practice in the UK. The combination will further enhance the firm’s pensions practice, and outside London expands its reach through Nabarro’s presence in Sheffield and Manchester, adding to CMS’ existing pensions law presence in Edinburgh and Glasgow.