Europe

UK - Invesco has appointed James Downie to its European equity team.

UK - Firms should consider defined benefit scheme designs that share investment risk with their staff, consultant Lane Clark & Peacock says.

UK - Trustees are warning that OPRA deadlines on scheme wind-ups may be breached because they are unable to cover members' guaranteed minimum pensions.

UK - Companies that have reduced their contributions to workers' pensions have already saved a massive £4bn, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) revealed this week.

UK - First State Investments has boosted its global equities team with the appointment of Tom Mermagen as senior portfolio manager.

UK - Pension schemes should be wary about paying excessive fees to active portfolio managers who are using passive methods.

PORTUGAL - Portuguese pension funds posted only a moderate gain over the first quarter, 2002, according to new data from consultants Watson Wyatt.

UK/EUROPE - A survey to assess the political and economic needs for a single European market for pensions is being carried out by leading banks and insurers.

UK - Local authority pension funds are moving away from firms that invest in the arms trade following pressure from the Campaign Against Arm Trade (CAAT).

UK - Pension industry professionals were honoured in the Queen's Jubilee birthday honours' list.