Europe

UK - FRS17 should be deferred until 2005 when all international accounting standards on pensions are due to brought into line, Hewitt Bacon & Woodrow suggests.

UK - More than a quarter of the population has no pension provision - occupational or otherwise - research from consultant KPMG reveals.

UK - The NAPF is advising members to vote against the re-election of two EMI directors at the firm's annual general meeting on July 19.

UK - Winterthur Life has boosted its sales team with the appointment of Keith Hanna as business development manager for Northern Ireland.

FRANCE - Henderson Global Investors has appointed Christophe Leroy as marketing and sales manager.

UK/US - Global index provider FTSE Group has boosted its drive into the US pensions market with the appointment of Carmen Campollo to FTSE Americas as vice president of pension and consultant relations.

UK - The direction of UK interest rates over the next six months has divided City economists, information services firm bfinance says.

UK - Brewing giant Scottish & Newcastle has a pension fund deficit of over £180m under FRS17, according to its 2002 preliminary results.

UK - A controlling interest in pensions information specialist Pendragon Professional Information has been bought by business publisher Wilmington Group.

UK - Leading industry bodies have largely welcomed the long-awaited Pickering Report, but stressed the need for further financial incentives.