Felix Weston advises clients in both the public and private sector on a wide range of pensions and investment issues, from matters relating to individual members of pension schemes and general scheme governance to advising on significant investment projects, the pensions implications of corporate transactions and derisking projects.
Felix has significant experience advising in relation to master trusts and collective defined contribution schemes, and a particular interest in advising on the legal aspects of pension fund investments and taking environmental, social and governance factors into account.
He is practical and very client focused, honed by his wide-ranging experience, which includes secondments to a FTSE 100 insurance company and the secretariat of one of the UK's largest pension funds.
Felix has been listed as a rising star by Super Lawyers and nominated as a rising star by Professional Pensions.
Felix is a contributor to Practical Law Pensions and Lexis Nexis Tax Journal.
Felix is a member of the Association of Pensions Lawyers and the Society of Pensions Professionals Administration Committee, and was an original member of the Investors for Purpose advisory board.
Investments
Advising several local government pension scheme (LGPS) funds on the legal aspects of transitioning to a new LGPS pool, resulting in a pool with over £100 billion in assets.
Advising an LGPS pool on a multiyear program to access different categories of private markets and the associated legal documentation.
Advising an LGPS pool company on a £500 million fund of one arrangement for investments in private markets.
Advising the trustee of a collective defined contribution scheme on the terms of appointment of its fiduciary investment manager; and subsequently advising the trustee on a bespoke fund of one created to access private markets.
Advising trustees and LGPS funds on investments in a wide variety of asset classes, including private credit, private debt, real estate, infrastructure, secondaries, sustainable funds and timberland funds.
Advising trustees and LGPS funds on fiduciary duties in an investment context, including responding to complaints from members and pressure groups.
Pensions advisory
Advising trustees of defined benefit pension schemes on the legal aspects of employer distress and insolvencies, including close engagement with the Pensions Regulator.
Advising trustees on a large number of derisking projects, including approaches to market, benefit specifications, policy terms, buying out and winding up.
Advising on the pensions aspects of corporate activity, including scheme mergers and employer apportionment arrangements.
Advising on member complaints and Pensions Ombudsman proceedings.
Advising on pension scheme contingent assets, including guarantees, letters of credit and asset backed funding arrangements.
Advising a master trust provider on issues associated with master trust scheme mergers and engagement with the Pensions Regulator.
Advising on the pensions aspects of cross border corporate transactions.
Advising on the resolution of automatic enrolment compliance related issues, including failures to pay contributions and enrol employees as required.