THREADNEEDLE Asset Management has been awarded its first global equity mandate from a UK scheme client since it launched a separate investment team for the asset class in 2003.

BNP PARIBAS Asset Management has hired Christian Dargnat as its chief investment officer.

MIKE TAYLOR has formally taken up his post as chief executive of the London Pensions Fund Authority.

UK - Henderson Infrastructure Holdco Limited's (HIH) acquisition of John Laing has received a green light after the construction firm agreed a £886.9m bid.

UK - Niall Paul has been promoted to head of equities at Morley Fund Management following the departure of Tim Thomas - who spent less than a year in the post.

GLOBAL - Crédit Agricole's Christian Dargnat has been appointed CIO at BNP Paribas Asset Management.

SCHEME members could be "in for a shock" when they receive statements explaining the funding position of their scheme this week, Mercer Human Resource Consulting warns.

CANADA - Robert Astley, formerly president of Sun Life Financial Canada, has been appointed to the board of directors for the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), it was announced yesterday.

MORLEY Fund Management has replaced its head of equities in a further shake-up at the firm.

NORWAY - Changes may be underway for the NOK1.5trn (€180bn) Norwegian Government Pension Fund's low return volatility investment strategy which is being reviewed by the ministry of finance.