Our Team   |    Kate Payne

Kate Payne

Partner

Kate has many years of experience advising trustees and employers in relation to all aspects of pensions law.

She has advised them on scheme mergers and benefit changes including closure to new entrants and to further accrual. Kate has also been involved in a number of buy-ins and buy-outs and liability management exercises to help schemes look more attractive to insurers as well as offering members opportunities to reshape their benefits.

She has also been involved in projects to transfer DC benefits from hybrid schemes to master trusts and more recently Kate has also advised trustees on asset backed funding agreements and LDI investment.

Kate has also worked on multi-jurisdictional corporate transactions and restructurings including for distressed companies. She has also supported central government on significant outsourcing projects including one that resulted in the first private sector provider participating in the Civil Service Pension Scheme.

Kate is consistently ranked Band 1 for pensions in the Chambers UK Guide and continues to be recognised in The Legal 500 UK as a ‘Leading Individual’ for Pensions (Leeds).

“Kate is very knowledgeable about pensions issues.”

Chambers UK 2023

“Kate is very empathetic when dealing with clients who have difficult issues they are facing, but never afraid to be clear about what they need to do.”

The Legal 500 UK 2022

“I have worked with Kate for many years. I have continued to put her forward for opportunities as she continues to deliver at a very high level. Never any issues with delivery and always looking for a pragmatic solution.”

The Legal 500 UK 2022

“Kate Payne is excellent in respect of both the quality of her advice and her responsiveness to our requirements. She has the ability to communicate the complex legal issues affecting our scheme in a manner which enables our trustees to readily understand.”

Chambers UK 2022

“Kate Payne and Vikki Massarano stand out as being practical, knowledgeable and also fun. It’s important to be fun when working in pensions.

The Legal 500 UK 2021

“We work closely with Kate Payne and Max Ballad. We believe that their key strengths – on top of the strong industry knowledge – is their willingness to work flexibly and their proactive approach. They always seem to be on top of recent legislation and have a unique talent in how they communicate this to the trustee board, ensuring that the priorities are well highlighted”.

The Legal 500 UK 2021

“Both Kate Payne and Max Ballad are exceptionally responsive and helpful and their knowledge and experience is of great assistance”.

The Legal 500 UK 2021

Kate Payne handles matters ranging from scheme mergers and benefit changes to liability management exercises. Clients say: “She is excellent in respect of the quality of her advice and her responsiveness to our requirements.”

Chambers UK 2020

Kate Payne has extensive experience advising corporate clients and trustees on the full gamut of pensions law. Clients say: “She is extremely knowledgeable with a practical tilt to her advice and counsel.”

Chambers UK 2019

Kate Payne “provides a first-class service in terms of her pensions knowledge and responsiveness to our needs”

Chambers UK 2017

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