Andy Burnham signals reform of non-compete clauses — what could change?

We explain the reforms that could be on the horizon and what employers should be doing now to prepare.
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3 min read
Press Releases, Company News, Employment, Corporate, Pensions

Left to right: Nigel Jones, Partner. Nik White, Managing Partner. Kim Jones, Head of Pensions.
We've invested in our pensions team with the appointment of new senior leadership as significant pension reform remains a key focus of government policy.
Kim Jones has joined us as Head of Pensions alongside new Partner Nigel Jones and will lead the team in supporting our national client base. The appointments come during a time of significant anticipated changes in the pensions sector as the Government targets better outcomes for pension savers while seeking to drive growth by facilitating pension fund investment in the UK economy.
Based in our Leeds office, both Kim and Nigel join the firm from a national law firm and will continue to be supported by Legal Director Max Ballad who also joins Brabners. Collectively, the team hold more than 60 years of experience advising trustees and employers on all aspects of pensions law.
Advising stakeholders in public and private sector pensions schemes nationally, the team supports clients with the establishment, operation, merger, reconstruction and wind-up of pension schemes and related risk transfer (buy-in/buyout) projects. The team, which includes M&A specialists, will also support our leading corporate specialism — which last year was recognised as a top 15 M&A adviser nationally by Experian — in advising on the pensions aspects of refinancing, restructurings, sales and acquisitions.
The appointment is the latest addition to our fast-growing Leeds office, which works closely with colleagues across our other offices in Liverpool, Manchester and Lancashire. We were recently named the best law firm to work for in the UK for the second consecutive year and the best company to work for in Yorkshire by Best Companies.
Nik White, Managing Partner, said: “The pensions landscape has shifted significantly in the last three years, influenced by both the Truss administration’s mini-Budget and now the current Government’s ambition to leverage pension funds to support UK economic growth through the creation of new megafunds. Kim, Nigel and Max’s combined experience puts us in an excellent position to guide clients through this period of reform and consolidation.
“It’s a pleasure to bring them on board and to see the broader Leeds office growing further, having recently been recognised as employer of choice in the region.”
Kim Jones, Head of Pensions, added: “2025 will continue to present challenges for those with responsibility for pension schemes as the Government sets out to deliver the most significant reform in decades. For employers, funds and their trustees, the next few years will undoubtedly represent a period of change, and one they will need the support of experienced advisors to help them navigate.
“Working alongside Nigel, Max and the wider Brabners team, we very much intend to play our part in helping make the difference for clients old and new during what promises to be a period of profound change for public and private sector pensions.”
Talk to us by calling 0333 004 4488, emailing hello@brabners.com or completing our contact form below.
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