Europe

UK - AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM) is targeting pension fund and insurance markets with the appointment of Bruce Gascoine as an institutional sales director in the UK.

UK - Increasing staff shortages mean that traditional approaches to pension administration are no longer sustainable, Aquila warns.

UK - Over 30 businesses now signed with 4th Contact's online employee benefits software.

UK - Pension funds should learn the virtues of simplicity from Boots pension scheme's switch from equities to bonds, accountancy giant PricewaterhouseCoopers claims.

UK - Pension schemes will face large fines unless they meet looming deadlines on scheme wind-ups, OPRA warns.

UK - Mature pension schemes are being let off lightly by FRS17, one of its architects and a former Accounting Standards Board consultant claims.

UK - A High Court hearing could lead to sweeping changes in the pensions ombudsman's powers to backdate scheme membership, a leading law firm believes.

UK - Radical changes in the way pension schemes and fund managers conduct business are needed to ensure assets outstrip liabilities, State Street Global Advisors claims.

UK - Government plans to force pension funds to be more active as shareholders have been lambasted by the NAPF.

EUROPE - Equity funds are expected to make a performance comeback over the next 12 months, according to fund rating agency, Morningstar.