Our Team   |    Jane Kola

Jane Kola

Partner

After working in pensions law for almost 25 years, Jane has developed an expertise in advising trustees and employers on workplace pension arrangements, offering guidance on the establishment, management, restructuring, merging and winding-up of defined benefit, defined contribution and hybrid schemes.

Jane is a specialist in advising pension schemes on the legal aspects of their investments. For defined benefit schemes, she advises on the terms of investment management agreements, fiduciary management and investment funds of all kinds, as well as hedging strategies (working in conjunction with banking lawyers) and custody arrangements.

For defined contribution schemes, Jane advises on the investment platform documentation, investment funds, insurance funds and the security of assets. She is a former member of the DC Asset Security Working party, whose guide on asset security is recommended by the Pensions Regulator.

In the last few years, Jane has helped clients on the journey to buy-out. She has undertaken benefit audits to ensure schemes are paying the correct legal entitlements. She advises on benefit re-shaping, liability management and incentive exercises which enhance the insurability of schemes and their benefits in a cost efficient way. In 2015, Jane lead the team which concluded one of the largest pension scheme buy-outs in UK history. This was the culmination of more than 5 years work and involved multiple buy-in policies with more than one bulk annuity insurer.

As the chair of trustees of 3 small defined benefit pension schemes, Jane’s advice to trustee clients comes from first-hand experience. She understands the challenges that lie in protecting the interests of members whilst balancing the needs of the employer, especially at a time when funding levels are low and investment returns hard to find.

After starting her career at Nicholson Graham & Jones, Jane has been a pensions partner at Sackers LLP and then Gowling WLG (UK) LLP (formerly Wragge & Co LLP). She speaks regularly at events on a wide range of pensions issues and is a full member of the Association of Pension Lawyers

“Down-to-earth and non-judgemental”

The Legal 500 2023

“She does not just sit on the fence and will express her own view with clear rationale”

The Legal 500 2023

“Jane is an outstanding professional”

Chambers UK 2023

“She cuts through problems and sees solutions.”

Chambers UK 2022

Jane “has excellent pensions knowledge and her advice is given in a very user-friendly manner, explaining key concepts in language clients are able to understand. She is also extremely pragmatic in the advice given.”

Chambers UK 2021

Jane “is strong technically and has an eye for detail. She explains things clearly so clients can understand complex issues, and is also friendly and approachable.”

Chambers UK 2021

Jane Kola is noted for her handling of issues relating to defined benefit, defined contribution and hybrid schemes. One client states: “I thoroughly enjoy working with her.”

Chambers UK 2020

Jane Kola is praised for being “clear, responsive and customer-centric.” She advises clients on a range of areas affecting workplace pension schemes such as restructuring and defined benefit closure as well as advising hybrid schemes.

Chambers UK 2019

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