Europe

UK - Hazell Carr Pensions Consulting has expanded operations with new offices in Edinburgh, Bristol and Basingstoke.

UK - Managers of occupational defined contribution plans have hit back at accusations that their schemes could become the next pensions mis-selling scandal.

UK/EUROPE - British MEPs have urged the European parliament to block amendments to its pensions directive as they would impose undue costs on UK pension funds.

EUROPE - Global hedge fund advisory firm LJH Global Investments and Attica Asset Management have issued a hedge index certificate aimed at European institutional investors.

UK - Legal & General has allayed fears about its finances after making a £140m profits charge to boost its annuity reserves.

UK - Pension fund trustee company Thomas Eggar Trustees has changed its name to Thomas Eggar Trust Corporation.

UK - Britannic Asset Management has launched a long corporate bond fund designed for matching long-term liabilities.

UK/EUROPE - Technology-based equity trading services group ITG Europe has reported record quarterly revenues for 2002.

EUROPE - Mercer Investment Consulting has appointed Divyesh Hindocha as head of its Ireland and continental Europe practice.

UK - The £450m Flintshire County Council Clwyd Pension Fund is looking to hire a global custodian.