Europe

UK - Financial services group PIFC Benefit Consultants posted robust growth in the year ending March 2002.

BELGIUM/NETHERLANDS - Fortis has become the latest financial services firm to issue a full year profits warning on the back of crumbling markets.

UK - Royal & SunAlliance Property Investments has acquired an 81,000sq ft retail park in Swindon for £14.1m.

UK - Gartmore has hired Nigel Keegan as global healthcare analyst based in London.

UK - Arts and entertainment trade union BECTU has appointed Jagger & Associates to act as investment adviser to its pension scheme.

UK - Opposition parties are pledging their support for the Retirement Income Reform Campaign's (RIRC) call for unisex annuities.

UK - Schroder Property Investment Management has bought a portfolio of flats from Bromley Property Investments for £70m.

UK - Pensions ombudsman David Laverick wants trustees to be more open with members who are seeking ill-health pensions.

UK - Trustee confidence in fund managers has been rocked by the fall in equity markets and the recent spate of accountancy scandals.

UK - Consultant Lane Clarke & Peacock is holding a half-day seminar on how trustees have adapted to Myners' recommendations.