A falling average quality of fixed income indices combined with intensifying competition for high-quality assets could make it more challenging and costly for pension funds using benchmarks.

Sole trustee appointments are featuring more often in tender proposals as schemes seek nimbleness and expertise. James Phillips looks at a Kempen white paper on the burgeoning market.

Barnett Waddingham has used a Camradata service to source bespoke ESG manager research and market insights, as well as establish universes and strategies for ESG-related funds for clients.

The Civil Aviation Authority Pension Scheme (CAAPS) has appointed BlackRock to run a £4bn fiduciary mandate for its growth portfolios.

Pension companies must be given the power to trigger an “urgent regulatory response” to savers at risk of fraud, while regulators should be able to override the right to transfer, The People’s Pension and The Police Foundation have said.

The Plumbing and Mechanical Services (UK) Industry Pension Scheme has appointed independent consultant Pi Consulting to conduct a review of its governance.

The average recovery plan length for schemes in deficit has fallen by 2.2 years compared to three years ago, according to an Aon study.

Trish Houston has been appointed as chief operating officer (COO) at Law Debenture and will also join its board as an executive director.

Oversimplification must be avoided in The Pensions Regulator’s (TPR) proposed revision of the defined benefit (DB) scheme funding code, and a third way might be necessary, the industry has said.

This year might prove to be a blip in the growth of the bulk annuity market despite volumes trending towards £25bn, according to Mercer.