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.
Our Solutions
Transferring to Clara
Clara acts as a ‘Bridge to Buy-out’ providing capital to ensure our members have a secure journey to an insurer. Learn how by watching our short video here.
Bridge to Buy Out
Full transfer to Clara, backed by capital, delivering member security today and buy-out readiness in the future.
Who is Bridge to Buy-out designed for?
Bridge to Buy-out is aimed at schemes that want or need to settle their pensions obligations but are unable to afford or access insurance yet. Typically our schemes are up to 95% funded on a buy-out basis and includes those with strong sponsors who want to free up resources to concentrate on their core business, those with limited sponsor support, or those in PPF assessment.
How does the transfer work?
The scheme’s assets and liabilities transfer in full to the Clara Pension Trust, forming a dedicated, ringfenced section. Clara provides buffer capital to support the benefits, enhance member security and give sponsors a clean break to focus on their core business.
What regulatory and funding standards apply?
Transfers must meet strict criteria set out by The Pensions Regulator in its guidance for superfunds. Clara provides >99% certainty that members will receive full benefits, with funding measured on a prudent Technical Provisions basis.
What happens once the scheme is in Clara?
Clara manages the assets with the sole objective of achieving insurance buy-out within 5 to 10 years. Sponsors step away, members gain enhanced protection, and the journey to buy-out continues under Clara’s stewardship.
Can a sponsor still play a role after transfer?
Yes – through what we call a “connected covenant”. In these situations, Clara retains a formal link to the original sponsor, allowing them to remain involved. This approach blends Clara’s capital with the sponsor’s ongoing support, offering members dual protection. It’s particularly useful where the sponsor remains strong but buy-out isn’t yet affordable and helps ensure the transfer improves the likelihood of members receiving full benefits.
What if my scheme isn’t funded well enough to complete a Bridge to Buy Out transaction yet?
We can help you…
How can I explore whether my scheme qualifies?
Email [email protected] and we’ll help you assess whether Clara is the right fit.
Where can I find out more about Clara’s solutions?
Explore some of Clara’s solutions below including Bridge to Buy-Out and Connected Covenant.
Meet the team
Matt Wilmington
Chief Transactions Officer
Matt Wilmington
Matt joined Clara in 2024, bringing over 20 years of Bulk Purchase Annuity and consulting experience, having qualified as an actuary in 2004.
Matt’s role at Clara is to provide strategic leadership and growth across all business development and transaction activity. From pricing, contractual negotiations, transaction execution and marketing, Matt is also responsible for Clara’s transaction strategy for supporting sections to buy-out with an insurer.
Louise Ellisdon
Senior Business Development Manager
Louise Ellisdon
Louise joined Clara at the start of 2024, with over a decade of experience in various annuity and bulk purchase annuity roles with an insurance company.
Louise specialises in building strategic relationships within the industry, with a particular focus on trustee partnerships. Her role involves educating stakeholders on Clara’s solutions and supporting them through the transaction process. She is also responsible for Clara’s marketing, events, and brand development, ensuring that the industry understands the value and impact of Clara’s offerings in the pension landscape.
Demi Ho
Business Development Manager
Demi Ho
Demi joined Clara in 2025, bringing 6 years of experience at a market leading pensions consultancy where she provided advice to trustees and sponsors. She has been a qualified actuary since 2022.
Demi’s focus is to facilitate the Clara transaction process from pricing through to execution, ensuring all parties are supported throughout. She is also responsible for supporting Clara’s wider business development strategy and fostering Clara’s strategic relationships with industry stakeholders.
Transactions news
Trustees of the Videndum DB Pension Scheme reach agreement to transfer members and assets to Clara
Clara Pensions has reached agreement with the trustees of the Videndum DB Pension Scheme, marking the latest superfund transaction.
Clara Pensions welcomes Church Mission Society members in fourth landmark transaction
Clara Pensions has agreed its latest superfund transaction with the Church Mission Society (“CMS”).
Clara Pensions announces transfer of the Wates Pension Fund
The 1,500 members of the Fund and the scheme’s £210m in assets will now come under Clara’s management.
Insights
Conversation with Clara
A series of interviews with professionals directly involved in Superfund transactions.
Inside the first Superfund Summit
Yesterday marked another first in the world of superfunds - the inaugural Superfund Summit.
Is Consolidation the Future for Defined Benefit Pensions?
The Clara Chief Executive joined the panel at a Financial Times Live event.
We safeguard pensions.
We keep promises.
We secure benefits.
We are Clara.