NETHERLANDS - Dutch pension scheme Bpf Meubel has appointed ABN AMRO Mellon Global Securities Services to provide global custody and related services for assets valued at €1.5bn.

AUSTRALIA - The list of speakers has been confirmed for the forthcoming currency management conference researched and organised by Global Pensions.

US - Hybrid defined benefit (DB) plans could form part of the new investment landscape for US company retirement schemes, according to an analyst from Watson Wyatt.

GLOBAL - People and process are without doubt more important to pension funds than past performance, confirmed the results of October's Global Pensions 100 Panel.

Schemes could have a potential £300m VAT rebate from HM Revenue and Customs slashed by 25pc, Trust Associates warns.

US - Consultants in the US have been told to brace themselves for major changes in the consultancy profession with specialisation and adaptability becoming the keywords for success.

US - The newly formed National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS) has announced the appointment of Beth Almeida, to act as its first executive director. She will take up this position in early November.

GLOBAL - The majority of pension funds remain confident on quantitative (quant) management, despite the losses suffered by quant strategies in the wake of August's market turbulence, show the results of the latest Global Pensions 100 Panel.

EUROPE - AEGON Pension Network has confirmed that a tax-transparent pooling vehicle it is currently developing should be launched in 2008.

US - Michigan-based Sterling Heights Police & Fire Retirement System has brought a class action lawsuit against Mattel, following mass recalls of the company's toys.