Both deals are worth multiple billions

Linklaters, CMS, DLA Piper and Gowling are advising on two deals totalling £8.5 billion, being undertaken by pension insurer Rothesay Life.

Yesterday (September 26), the insurer agreed to a £4.7 billion buyout of the legacy General Electric Company (GEC) pension scheme from current scheme-holder Telent and the pension trustees.

According to Rothesay, the deal will be the largest full scheme buyout ever undertaken in the U.K. The deal is expected to be completed by 2022.

Gowling WLG is advising Rothesay Life, led by pensions partner Paul Feathers, while CMS is advising Telent and the pension trustees on the terms of the deal. The CMS team is being led by pensions partner James Parker, assisted by partners Maria Rodia and Johanna Clarke.

Today (September 27), Rothesay also announced a £3.8 billion deal to insure the defined benefit liabilities for the Allied Domecq pension fund. According to the firm, the deal terms make it the largest scheme buyin on record that incorporates deferred members.

Linklaters is advising Rothesay Life on the terms of the pension de-risking deal, with pensions partner Philip Goss leading the team. Allied Domecq is being advised by DLA Piper, with pensions partner, Tamara Calvert, leading the team.

The £4.7 billion buyout of the GEC scheme surpasses last year's giant £4.6 billion pension transfer between Rolls Royce and Legal & General.