PROFILE

GARY SQUIRES




Head of Zolfo Cooper’s Pensions Advisory Services, Gary advises trustees and scheme sponsors in the complex and developing area of employer covenant.


Experience

Gary is a chartered accountant with over 20 years’ experience in corporate restructuring and creditor advisory roles. Gary joined Zolfo Cooper’s antecedent firm in 1993 and has since 2004 focussed on advising pension scheme sponsors and trustees regarding employer covenant, a field in which he is widely recognised as an expert. Gary has brought this experience to bear in some major restructurings and leveraged buyouts including as Joint Administrator in the landmark Federal Mogul case and the more recent Chapter 11 restructuring of the Sea Containers Group, in which the Pensions Regulator used its moral hazard powers for the first time.


    Major Recent Projects
  • Sea Containers, as financial advisors to the UK creditors committee in a Chapter 11 process. Zolfo Cooper professionals played a key role in assisting the group’s two UK pension schemes to successfully assert claims against the Bermudan parent company via use of the Pension Regulator’s moral hazard powers. In September 2008 the settlement reached between the schemes and the parent was ratified by the US bankruptcy court.

  • Project Run, assisting the Pensions Regulator resolve a significant ‘failure to agree’ a schedule of contributions.

  • Project River, in which Zolfo Cooper assessed the potential impact on a FTSE100 employer covenant of a proposed takeover. Zolfo Cooper actively engaged in assisting the trustees negotiate improved terms and a monitoring package.

  • Project Marten, initially assessing the employer covenant following a FTSE100 merger, supporting negotiations in a subsequent leveraged buy out and in setting up a monitoring framework.

  • Project Color, advising the acquirer of two major automotive manufacturers regarding covenant and providing related project management services in negotiations with the pension scheme trustees.

    Gary's expertise covers:

  • Scheme specific funding reviews
  • Regulatory Clearance
  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Financial Distress
  • Covenant Monitoring
  • Negotiation Support
    Clients include:

  • Pension Trustee Boards
  • Independent Trustees
  • Scheme Sponsors
  • The Pensions Regulator


Direct Phone: +44 (0) 20 7332 5220

E-mail: gsquires@zolfocooper.eu

Office: London

Office Address: 10 Fleet Place, EC4M 7RB, London

Office Phone: +44 (0) 20 7332 5000

Office Fax: +44 (0) 20 7332 5001


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