Europe

UK - James Hay Pension Trustees, Abbey National's specialist pension provider, has made a number of improvements to its online service.

UK - VenCap International, the independent private equity advisor, has promoted Tim Cruttenden to director, fund investments.

UK - Mercer Human Resource Consulting is to hold a discussion on the future of occupational pension provision tomorrow (May 2).

UK - Towers Perrin has appointed Dermot Courtier to its administration services business.

UK - Neptune Investment Management's UK equity fund has returned 17% since its launch at the end of March, 2000.

UK - Barclays Private Equity has won the Fund of the Year Award at the Real Deals/BVCA Private Equity Awards 2003.

UK/GLOBAL - A radical new code of stewardship for pension funds backed by some of the world's biggest investors has already caused outrage among fund managers.

UK - Pooled pension schemes have plummeted by nearly 25% in the past year with a net loss of £60bn across the Russell/Mellon CAPS Index.

UK - Scottish Life is revamping its fee structure to help IFAs move from commission to fees and boost the take-up of pensions.

UK - Micro-electronics firm Zetex has been forced to rethink plans to increase staff contributions to its final salary scheme following angry responses from workers.