Tushar Bhate
PARTNER
Tushar is consistently recognised as one of the UK’s leading pensions lawyers by the major legal directories. He has been named the leading individual for pensions law advice in the North for over five consecutive years and was awarded Lawyer of the Year 2024 by Best Lawyers for pensions advice in the region.
With extensive pensions experience and a collaborative approach, Tushar is regularly instructed on complex and contentious pensions matters by other law firms and professionals.
He holds a first-class honours degree in Law and previously served over seven years with Northumbria Police as a Police Officer. Tushar is also the former Chair of the Northern Counties Group of the NAPF and a full member of the Association of Pension Lawyers.
Simone Turner
SOLICITOR APPRENTICE
Simone joined Neon Legal in 2012 and has over twelve years of experience in pensions law. She has acted for all types of pension schemes, both public and private sector, from individual arrangements to some of the largest in the UK.
She offers clients a comprehensive documentation service, including the creation of consolidated trust deeds and rules.
She regularly assists trustees and employers with buy-in and buy-out transactions, as well as managing scheme wind-ups from start to completion. With extensive public sector experience, she advises clients on LGPS, TPS, and NHS pension queries.
After obtaining a first-class honours degree in law from Northumbria University, she is currently undertaking the Solicitors Qualifying Exams and will qualify as a solicitor in the near future.
Georgia Woods-Ruddick
Paralegal
Georgia joined Neon Legal in August 2025 as a paralegal within the pensions team. She supports the team across a variety of pensions matters, including scheme documentation, buy-in and buy-out transactions, and scheme wind-ups.
She also assists with public sector pension queries relating to the LGPS, TPS, and NHS schemes, and undertakes legal research and administrative support for clients.
Georgia graduated from Teesside University in 2024 with a Bachelors of Laws degree in Law, Criminology and Criminal Justice and is currently working toward qualification as a solicitor.
Expertise that delivers
WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO
Our diverse clientele includes trustees and sponsoring employers of pension schemes across a range of industries, both large and small. We also have expertise in public sector pensions and provide advice to law firms without pension departments.
We excel in various areas of pensions law, such as drafting scheme documents, resolving disputes, and navigating regulatory matters with the Pensions Regulator and the Pensions Ombudsman. Our track record includes successfully handling complex pension scheme restructuring, buy-ins, buy-outs, and wind-ups, ensuring our clients achieve their objectives.
We are passionate about our work, and it shows in everything we do. With decades of collective experience, we deliver successful outcomes for our clients. We possess the in-depth knowledge and expertise needed to tackle even the most complex pension issues.