HEWITT Associates has opened a new Edinburgh office in a bid to boost its investment consulting operations in Scotland.

NETHERLANDS - In the largest recorded property fund deal, ING Real Estate Fund (ING RE) has announced it is to take control of ABP's €1.6bn office investment portfolio KFN.

UK/JAPAN - Railpen Investments and Pensions Management (rpmi) have urged nearly 200 Japanese firms to review their board structures to better maximise shareholder value.

'Structural flaw' in pensions bill; L&G's quiet voice of good governance; Emerging market funds gain; Blue Sky goes for protected income

CHILDREN should be taught personal finance and budgeting in school, the prime minister has said.

UK - Lincoln International, a mid-market investment bank, has opened a London office, with plans to advise UK pension fund trustees on deficit funding and transaction issues.

BESTrustees has appointed Graham Wardle as a director of the firm.

STANDARD & POOR'S has launched a investable index for investors seeking exposure to environmentally responsible investment strategies

STRIKES at airports run by BAA have been called off after the firm backed down over plans to close its final salary pension scheme to new members.

UK - A dispute between the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and scientists at the Trident nuclear weapons facility may escalate to industrial action following changes to pension contribution rates for the defined benefit (DB) scheme.