Appointments

US - BlackRock saw outflows of $121bn in 2010 on the back of its acquisition of Barclays Global Investors, but managed to increase total assets by 6%.

SWITZERLAND - Former Swiss Re chairman Peter Forstmoser has joined the board of Swiss Foundation for International Real Estate Investments (AFIAA).

Former Pensions Management Institute vice-president Brian Critchell has joined the board of PAN Governance.

Fund manager Hermes has appointed Simon Cartwright and Jill Renwick as directors in its institutional business development team.

Russell Investments; Mercer; Aviva Investors; Hermes; BlackRock; Aegon UK; Newport Group; Xafinity Consulting; ETF Securities.

UK - BlackRock head of defined contribution sales Emma Douglas has left the firm for Mercer where she will help launch and head up the consultant's corporate wrap offering.

Emma Douglas has left BlackRock for Mercer where she will help launch and head up the consultant's corporate wrap offering.

AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND - Mercer has appointed Guy Thorburn as business leader for retirement, risk and finance consulting for Australia/New Zealand.

GLOBAL - Russell Investments has appointed Darren Spencer as director of global alternative investments in its institutional consulting group.

Xafinity Consulting has appointed Bill Holmes to head its expanded UK investment consulting practice.