Partner

Mark Atkinson

Languages

English

Mark Atkinson is a partner in CMS’ Pensions team. He acts for trustees and companies in relation to occupational pension schemes providing day to day advice along with leading on some of the most structural issues that impact schemes - mergers, buy-out/in, takeover of sponsors, PPF entry and contingent assets. He also acts for claimants and defendants in relation to professional negligence claims involving pension scheme advisers as well as for parties in applications for directions from the Courts.

Mark provides on going advice to many household names including Sainsbury's, BAA, Harrods and Coca Cola.

Awards & Recognitions

01 –

Quote

Mark is named as a leading specialist in the pensions field ('energetic client man', 'Super-bright and extremely articulate') and pensions litigation field ('keen as mustard and extremely clever', 'Fantastic pensions litigator')

Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession and The Legal 500.

Relevant experience

Sainsbury’s trustees on large property based Scottish Limited Partnership.
Booker trustees on a seven scheme merger.
Headway trustees on a successful application for directions (including success defending, the first instance decision in the Court of Appeal).
Coca-Cola trustees on captive reinsurance transaction.
BAA trustees on initially hostile takeover by Ferriovial led consortium and subsequent reorganisation and refinancing.
Clearing banks on reorganisation of cheque clearing provider.
Trustees of the BMI Pension Scheme on sale of sponsor and entry into Pension Protection Fund.
Multiple clients (sponsors and trustees) on negotiating with the Pensions Regulator.

Publications

Contributor to the Pensions Law Handbook (15th Edition), Bloomsbury Professional.

Memberships & Roles

Past Chair, Association of Pension Lawyers
Associate, Pensions Management Institute

Education

1990 - Pembroke College, Cambridge University

Practice Areas

Pensions Financial Institutions Lending Banking & Finance Employment, Labour & Pensions Dispute Resolution

Insights

Global Reach

UK Pay Gap Report 2024