Best brains in ...

I lead the trustee governance team responsible for leading our thinking on governance issues and trustee support and training, as well as being responsible for clients. I have helped various clients to improve their governance arrangements and effective management of their pension schemes.

I have a particular interest in defined contribution pension schemes and their development. Many clients look after both defined benefit and defined contribution pension schemes and often the time available for defined contribution issues can get squeezed.

How do you get under the skin of a client's business?

A few years ago, after working closely with trustees for many years, I became a trustee of the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme. The scheme is fantastically well supported and aspires to be at the forefront of the highest standards of trustee governance. I now have even more sympathy with our trustee clients' difficult balancing act of having legal responsibility but little, day-to-day involvement in the running of the scheme.

What's your single greatest contribution to Wragge & Co's corporate responsibility?

I have been a voluntary adviser for the Pensions Advisory Service (TPAS) for many years. I wanted to do some voluntary work and, while it's not as glamorous and exciting as trekking in the Himalayas or some other Wragge and Co initiatives, it's an area where my experience gives me special skills. It is a great feeling when you can help a member finally to understand his pension entitlement or to convince a pension scheme to take a member's claim seriously. TPAS helps members of the public who could never afford professional fees.

I also was a member of the TPAS Board for six years and on a sub-committee which was charged with updating its governance structures in line with the combined code and the Nolan principles.

What's been written or said about you that you're most proud of?

It is great to be recognised in independent directories like Chambers UK, which says, "The 'excellent' Vivien Cockerill is prized by clients for her 'decision-making skills and unequivocal advice'. Considered a 'robust negotiator', her diplomacy and practicality have made her popular among her peers."