Europe

UK - Trustees should focus on member security if the scheme sponsor is facing troubled times, according to Marconi group pensions director Kevin O'Boyle.

UK - Prudential has bowed to pressure from the NAPF and PIRC to put potentially "excessive" executive share plans on hold.

UK/GLOBAL - British pensions schemes are closing the gap on their overseas counterparts in the use of UK private equity at an "unprecedented" rate, new figures show.

UK - The Accounting Standards Board has slammed companies and pension schemes which criticise FRS17.

UK - Kenneth Greig has been appointed as director of technical services at Scottish Widows Investment Partnership.

UK - Schemes are being urged to carry out immediate reviews of administration processes after Watson Wyatt uncovered a loophole which could have cost one scheme £5m.

UK - Hymans Robertson has been appointed as actuary and investment adviser to two pension schemes belonging to the Institute of Chartered Accountant of England and Wales.

UK - The £280m Dumfries and Galloway Council Superannuation Fund seems set to make sweeping changes once a review is complete.

UK - Merrill Lynch Investment Managers have lost Habib Annous following a recent spate of departures from the firm.

UK - State Street Global Advisors has successfully completed the transfer of Gartmore Investment Management's passive equity business.