AVIVA is set to combine its asset management businesses into one globally integrated firm - Aviva Investors - from September.

UK - Leeds University is looking for an investment manager to oversee an £80m (158.7m) UK and overseas equity mandate.

US - The US$35bn Pennsylvania State Employees Retirement System (SERS) posted a 17.2% return on investments for 2007, almost double the average return for the nation's largest pension plans.

FRANCE - Almost two million people have signed up for the common retirement savings plan Plan d'épargne retraite populaire (PERP), according to the latest figures released by the French government.

GLOBAL - Aviva has revealed plans to combine its asset management businesses to create a globally integrated group to be known as Aviva Investors.

Poor governance reduces profits, says ABI; UK faces 'real risk of high inflation'; Private equity pioneer says 'golden age' will return

UK - The Government has moved to protect the PPF from private sector competition, by refusing to allow potential BrightonRock clients to escape the PPF levy.

GLOBAL - Pension funds' focus on alpha could have caused a 50% increase in active manager fees in five years, according to Watson Wyatt.

US/INDIA - Ennis Knupp + Associates has expanded its consulting business to India with the opening of an office in Mumbai.

CANADA - Older workers have been the focus of Budget measures, with a proposal that life income fund holders (LIFs) be given the ability to withdraw funds in certain circumstances.