Europe

UK - Simplification author Alan Pickering has welcomed government moves to pare down pensions regulation and describes them as a "massive step" forward.

UK - Pensions Investment Research Consultants clients are to gain access to enhanced shareholder voting advice on an upgraded website.

UK - Leading industry figures have slammed the Green Paper as a missed opportunity.

UK - Trustees at insolvent schemes in wind-up are being urged to resolve problems over guaranteed minimum pensions by reinstating members into the state second pension.

UK - Friends Provident has launched an online business tracking facility for independent financial advisers.

UK - Pension schemes' internal dispute resolution processes are a "nonsense" and often work to members' disadvantage, the pensions ombudsman says.

UK - Saville Row tailor Henry Poole & Co's £1m defined contribution Retirement Benefit Scheme has appointed Michael Kirk & Partners as its adviser and consultant.

UK - Schemes' investments are being hit by hedge fund managers who pursue short-term strategies.

UK - Northern Trust Corporation is to promote Steven Fradkin to the newly created position of executive vice president - finance.

EUROPE - Brussels based real estate specialist Lend Lease Houlihan Rovers has launched a new European real estate investment SICAV (société d'investissement à capital variable).