Ian Pittaway

About

Ian advises for a number of DB and DC pension schemes including funding and valuation discussions, governance and corporate activity. He has gained extensive pensions law experience on a wide range of issues. This includes acting as an arbitrator and as an expert witness in court proceedings.

Ian was senior partner of the firm from 2005 until August 2021.

Ian is Chairman of the firm’s independent trustee company (ITL). As independent chairman or trustee of several pension funds, he has gained a good appreciation of the issues faced by trustee boards from a client perspective. He is also chair of Aegon UK’s master trust and independent governance committee.

For several years, Ian was named as one of the top 50 people in pensions by Engaged Investor.

Ian is a former Chairman and Secretary of the Association of Pension Lawyers and a former Chairman of the Association of Professional Pension Trustees (APPT). He writes extensively for the pensions and national press, and lectures widely.

Ian was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the community in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham in the 2019 New Year honours list.

Memberships and Qualifications

Accreditations:
Accredited Professional Pension Trustee

Membership of professional bodies:
Association of Pension Lawyers (Full Member, former Chairman and Secretary)
Association of Professional Pension Trustees (Full Member, former Chairman)

Career history

Qualified: 1980, England & Wales

Pensions experience since: 1982

Joined Sackers: 1996

Joined partnership/LLP: 1996

Employers: Trower Still & Keeling (1978-1981)
Nicholson Graham & Jones (1981-1996)

Academic history

University/College:

University of Hull (1974-1977)

Degree: Law Degree

Further Information

Testimonials

• Ian Pittaway assists clients with the full range of pensions governance issues and transactions. He is also the firm’s senior partner – Chambers UK 2020
• Ian Pittaway has extensive experience advising both employers and trustees in relation to defined benefit and defined contribution plans – Chambers UK 2019
• Senior Partner Ian Pittaway “is practical, commercial, experienced and politically aware” – Chambers UK 2018
• The “outstanding” Ian Pittaway maintains a reputation as a towering figure in the pensions industry. He is known for providing advice to numerous high-profile clients. “His breadth of experience shines through in the quality of advice he gives,” say clients – Chambers UK 2017
• Named as a leading lawyer, Legal 500 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013
• Named as one of the top 50 people in pensions, Engaged Investor 2016, 2015
• Senior partner Ian Pittaway is described by impressed market observers as “one of Sackers’ great strengths.” He has tremendous experience and expertise in the pensions arena and acts for a number of the highest-profile clients. Pittaway recently advised the trustee of the HSBC pension scheme on its closure of the scheme to future accrual – Chambers UK 2016
• Ian Pittaway “is a trusted adviser with great leadership skills,” according to one client, while another adds: “He is very mature, sensible, and is very aware of the political issues.” – Chambers UK 2015

Extracurricular interests and activities:

Representative Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London for the Borough of Barking & Dagenham.

Wine, football and forestry.