Europe

UK - Opposition from insurance companies looks set to scupper government plans to set up a central insurance fund for insolvent schemes.

UK - Railpen Investments, the fund manager of the £12bn Railways Pension Scheme, has boosted its investment and actuarial teams ahead of its impending asset liability study.

UK - The Conservative Party's new pensions and investment advisory group held its inaugural meeting on Tuesday.

UK/US - Mercer Investment Consulting's fund manager recommendations for UK and US equities outperformed aggregate indices over 12 months to September 2002.

UK - A campaign to set up an Occupational Pensions Archive Trust will move a significant step forward later this month.

UK - The pensions industry is holding out little hope of any radical changes from the Higgs Review into the role of non-executive directors.

UK - Two senior investment consultants at Watson Wyatt are to take sabbatical leave later this year.

UK - Consulting actuaries Punter Southall have continued to strengthen its presence in the local authority market with a new appointment.

UK - Trustees are rushing to amend or clarify scheme rules in a bid to stave off potential legal conflicts.

UK - Marlies Van Boven has joined Baring Asset Management as senior research analyst in the investment process team (IPT).