Europe

UK - Pensions of occupational scheme members who have become bankrupt are now safer from the claims of creditors.

UK - Friends Ivory & Sime (FIS) has added Tim Sharman and Robin Wrench to its US equities team.

UK - Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith has warned that institutional investors could pull out of the UK following the government's actions over Railtrack.

UK -The Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority (Opra) has appointed Tony Hobman as it's new chief executive.

UK - Local government pension schemes have criticised the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy for its lack of guidance over FRS17.

UK - Independent trustees are urging pension funds to avoid any transfer deals with the Brand New Carpet Company, a firm which offers members cash for pension transfers.

UK - Concerns over returns have prompted the £1.7bn Staffordshire County Council Pension Fund to undertake a full review of its investment managers.

UK - Two Yorkshire pension funds have increased the size of a jointly run investment advisory panel in line with recommendations in the Myners report.

UK / IRELAND - Irish financial services group IFG has bought Bristol-based IPS Actuarial Services from its management for £15.4m (EUR25.2m).

UK - Banking union Unifi says a deal to compensate part-time workers previously shut out of Lloyds TSB's pension scheme is "imminent".