Pension doctors look to cure business ills

Garrett & Co is pulling in its links with international accountancy giant Arthur Andersen to take advantage of an upheaval in pensions law.

The two firms have formed a "pension doctors" group that aims to help local businesses meet the requirements of the Pensions Act, which comes into effect in April 1997 and has been described as the biggest shake-up ever seen in the pensions market.

The Corporate Pensions Service Group, believed to be the first of its kind in the UK, will offer companies one-off reviews and on-going actuarial and administration services.

Members of the group include Trevor Clarke (pictured second left), national pensions partner at Garrett & Co, and Mike Ashton (second right), senior manager at Arthur Andersen and former director of financial services at Eversheds.

"The group will be unique in the delivery of pension services because we believe it will be the only pensions practice in the UK which can deliver truly independent legal advice with actuarial, consultancy and administration services under one roof," said Clarke.

Garrett & Co and Arthur Andersen recently joined forces to form the Land and Property Services Group, whose services are aimed at developers and surveyors.