British Heart Foundation Secures £37m Pension Buy-In with Royal London

Deal News | Aug 07, 2025 | Osborne Clarke

British Heart Foundation Secures £37m Pension Buy-In with Royal London

Osborne Clarke has successfully guided the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Staff Pension Scheme through a significant financial maneuver—a £37 million buy-in with Royal London. The transaction, accomplished in just 14 business days after Royal London secured exclusivity, fully secures the benefits of over 200 scheme members. Osborne Clarke's pensions team, led by Jonathan Hazlett, collaborated with key advisers including Broadstone and Isio, to ensure a rapid and cost-effective transition. The mutual status of Royal London aligns closely with BHF's core values, marking a key step forward in securing member benefits. The deal underscores Osborne Clarke's reputation in pensions risk transfer, extending their track record of handling similar high-profile transactions.

Sectors

  • Pension Fund Management
  • Legal Advisory
  • Insurance

Geography

  • United Kingdom – The deal involves UK-based entities: the British Heart Foundation, Osborne Clarke, and Royal London, highlighting its relevance to the UK financial and legal sectors.

Industry

  • Pension Fund Management – The article discusses a significant pension scheme buy-in aimed at securing benefits for scheme members, involving pension scheme management processes.
  • Legal Advisory – Osborne Clarke, a legal advisory firm, guided the British Heart Foundation Pension Scheme trustees in this transaction, showing the essential role of legal counsel in complex financial transactions.
  • Insurance – Royal London, an insurance company, was involved as the annuity provider, reflecting the insurance industry's role in pension risk transfer deals.

Financials

  • £37 million – The total value of the pension scheme buy-in transaction.

Participants

NameRoleTypeDescription
British Heart FoundationPension SchemeCharityThe organization whose pension scheme is securing benefits through the buy-in.
Osborne ClarkeLegal AdvisorCompanyProvided legal advice to the Scheme trustees in facilitating the buy-in.
Royal LondonAnnuity ProviderCompanyThe insurance company providing the annuity product for the buy-in.
BroadstoneConsultantCompanyAdvised the Scheme trustees on risk transfer, actuarial, and investment support.
IsioConsultantCompanyProvided consulting services to the British Heart Foundation.
Roshan TeeluckChair of Scheme TrusteesPersonCommented on the importance and success of the transaction.
Jonathan HazlettHead of Pensions at Osborne ClarkePersonLed the legal team advising the Scheme trustees.
Bob JenkinsonSenior Consultant at BroadstonePersonProvided leadership on the deal from Broadstone's side.