Aston Martin pension scheme secures £180m deal
The Aston Martin Lagonda Pension Scheme completed an £180 million full-scheme buy-in with Aviva, securing retirement benefits for 1,590 members.
The agreement, finalized in July 2026, covers 540 pensioners and 1,050 deferred members. The luxury car manufacturer backs the scheme, which advanced the transaction several years ahead of schedule. Aviva noted the deal followed a competitive process led by advisory firm LCP.
LCP acted as the lead risk transfer and investment adviser to the scheme’s trustee. Burges Salmon managed legal aspects, while Gallagher served as the scheme actuary and administrator. Aviva used its in-house legal team for the transaction.
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PwC and Sackers advised Aston Martin on the agreement. The structure allowed the scheme to proceed more quickly than originally expected. Kerry Support, Aviva’s bulk purchase annuity deal manager, said the transaction showed how a well-organized market approach could deliver results. She emphasized that speed and certainty were essential to completing the deal.
“We moved at pace, helping the scheme and its sponsor meet their goals sooner than anticipated,” Support said. She added that LCP’s process enabled Aviva to present its strongest offer, making the opportunity appealing. “We’re pleased to provide a secure future for the scheme’s members,” she stated.
Aston Martin’s group financial controller, Fiona Forster, called the deal the result of strong cooperation between the sponsor, trustee, and advisers. “The scheme achieved this outcome, ensuring financial security for our members,” she said.
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Charles Ward, chair of trustees at Dalriada Trustees, which oversees the scheme, noted the transaction finished well ahead of schedule. “We owe thanks to Aviva, LCP, and all advisers for seizing an opportunity that might have been missed,” he said.
Sam Jenkins, a partner at LCP, described the deal as a quick transition from goal to secured result. “The scheme benefited from a tailored approach to meet its ambitions,” he explained. “It required coordination across the trustee, sponsor, and advisers to act swiftly when the chance arose.”
Such pension buy-ins have grown more frequent as companies reduce risk on their balance sheets. The Aston Martin deal highlights how a focused strategy can speed up timelines without compromising terms. The process design, not just the deal’s size, drove its success.
