About us
Learn who we are, what we do, who we partner with and why we’re proud to be the UK’s leading pension superfund.
Conversation with Clara
A five-part video series exploring the real-world journeys behind some of the UK’s most pioneering pension transactions.
In each episode, Louise Ellisdon, Senior Business Development Manager at Clara Pensions, sits down with trustees, sponsors, advisers, and legal experts who’ve worked directly with Clara Pensions to secure better outcomes for members. These are the people who’ve navigated the regulatory, commercial and human realities of superfund solutions and who know what it takes to deliver success.
Whether you’re exploring new ways to de-risk, or simply want to understand how superfunds work in practice, these conversations offer honest, practical insights from those who’ve been through it.
Episode 1: The Professional Trustee Perspective
Guest: Tom Stockley, Chair of the Debenhams Retirement Scheme.
Tom discusses leading one of the UK’s first superfund transactions, why Clara was chosen, restoring member benefits, and working with Clara on rectification, GMP equalisation, and more.
Episode 2: The Trustee Adviser Perspective
Guest: Jack Sharman, Principal at Barnett Waddingham.
Jack explains why Clara was right for the Church Mission Society Scheme, how the Connected Covenant supported the deal, and why adviser-led preparation matters when insurance isn’t an option.
Episode 3: The Scheme Sponsor’s Perspective
Guest: Philip Wainwright, CFO at Wates Group.
Philip shares why Wates chose Clara over insurance, key financial and operational factors, and how member security remained central as they became the first active employer to complete a Clara transaction.
Episode 4: The Legal Perspective
Guest: Caroline Kurup, Partner at CMS.
Caroline traces Clara’s legal journey, from pre-regulation roots to industry-first deals, and explains how the model overcame scepticism to make superfunds a credible option for schemes not yet ready for insurance.
Episode 5: The Corporate Adviser’s Perspective
Guest: Amy Hemmett, Head of Superfunds at PwC.
Amy outlines her role in Wates Group’s £200m transfer to Clara, from defining goals to regulatory clearance, and highlights how superfunds are evolving as a key DB de-risking alternative to buy-out.
We safeguard pensions.
We keep promises.
We secure benefits.
We are Clara.