UK - Marks and Spencer has announced plans to plug its £704m DB pension deficit using an extensive property portfolio and redeeming secured bonds.

AUSTRALIA - Michael Putica has joined State Street from BNP Asset Management as business development manager for State Street Global Markets' transition management sales team.

UK - Amicus stewards at British Airways have today voted to recommend the revised pension proposals made by the airline, as a £150m strike threat by cabin crew hangs in the balance.

Whitehall accused of hypocrisy over set retirement age; Danish parent buys UK dairy producer; WH Smith attacked over pensions; Jabre's share sell-off finally cuts the cord with GLG

PIRC has launched a independent compliance service to help schemes assess how well they are complying with the Myners Principles.

FINANCIAL Service Authority regulation of self invested personal pensions will have a negative impact on the market, Origen warns.

SPAIN - Spain must develop a "more far-sighted long term strategy" to deal with fiscal management in the context of population ageing, according to the OECD.

BREVAN Howard Asset Management is to offer investors access to its $11.3bn (£570m) flagship hedge fund through a new listing on the London Stock Exchange.

BALANCED pooled funds achieved a median return of 4.9pc in the fourth quarter of 2006, latest CAPS figures from Mellon Analytical Solutions reveal.

A GROUP comprising the major providers of enhanced and impaired annuities has agreed on a common quotation request form in a bid to simplify and speed up the application process.