Eversheds Sutherland continues growth trajectory with dual pension partner appointment

Simon, joining as a Partner in the London Pensions team from Linklaters, brings extensive experience across the full spectrum of pensions work for large and complex schemes, sponsoring employers, insurers and asset managers. His broad practice has a particular focus on investment and scheme endgame matters, including de-risking and run-on solutions, management of illiquid assets, pooled fund investments, fiduciary and investment management agreements, custodian agreements, derivative transactions and investment and ESG governance, including for DC schemes.

He also sits on the DC & Investment Sub‑Committee of the APL, is a member of both the PensionsUK Legal Advisory Group and the IFoA’s Fiduciary Duty Working Party and contributed to the UK Private Capital working party on DC scheme investment in private market assets.

Craig, who re-joins the firm as a Partner in the Leeds Pensions team from DLA Piper, brings over seventeen years of specialist pensions experience. His knowledge spans advising on defined benefit scheme management, complex project work, major de‑risking transactions and international corporate transactions involving key pension considerations. He also has extensive public sector pensions experience advising contractors and central and local government clients, including outsourcing and transport‑related matters.

Jeremy Goodwin, Head of Pensions, Eversheds Sutherland, said:

“We are thrilled to welcome Simon to Eversheds Sutherland and equally thrilled to welcome Craig back at this exciting stage of the firm’s growth. Simon brings rare experience across investment and end‑game matters, strengthening our capability in areas where client demand is rapidly increasing. Craig’s outstanding technical reputation and leadership experience also make his return especially significant.”

Simon Borhan, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland said:

“I am absolutely delighted to join Eversheds Sutherland at such an important moment for the pensions industry. The firm’s strong platform, collaborative culture and market reputation provide an excellent foundation to continue and grow my broad pensions advisory and investment practice. I look forward to working with colleagues across the firm to support clients through the increasingly complex investment and regulatory landscape at such a crucial time for many schemes.”

Craig Looker, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland said:

“It is a real pleasure to return to Eversheds Sutherland where I began my career, and the opportunity to help further build the profile of the team and its reputation for high-quality, pragmatic advice is an exciting one. The pensions market is vibrant and highly active, and I look forward to collaborating with colleagues to deliver for our clients and to open up new opportunities for the team.”

Diane Gilhooley, Global Head of Employment, Labor and Pensions Group, Eversheds Sutherland, said: 

“I am delighted to welcome Simon and Craig, reinforcing our commitment to strengthening our national pensions offering at a time of significant change for clients. They bring exceptional technical capability and a client‑focused, commercial approach that will further enhance our ability to deliver market‑leading pensions advice.”

These appointments follow a series of strategic partner hires across 2025 and 2026 – including the addition of Mary Gavin in Ireland and the arrival of a seven‑strong employment team from Bird & Bird in Paris, led by partners Benjamine Fiedler and Chris Ivey – underscoring Eversheds Sutherland’s continued investment in top‑tier talent and the expansion of its global Employment, Labor & Pensions offering.