Europe

UK - The £2.3bn Boots Company Pension Scheme's move from equities to bonds has enabled its parent to embark on a massive share buyback programme.

UK - Former Gartmore chief Paul Myners has secured his fourth non-executive position with his appointment to the board of retail giant Marks & Spencer.

UK - Britannic Asset Management is changing the benchmark of its fixed interest pension fund to better reflect the increasing emphasis being placed on the role of fixed income and the management of investment risk.

UK - The Company Law Committee of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has published a statement on the implications of the transitional disclosures of FRS17 on the profits available for distribution by companies.

UK - The £22bn British Coal Pension Schemes are to look at whether or not they will retain Goldman Sachs Asset Management services in the third quarter, according to David Morgan, chief executive of CMT Pension Trustee Services.

EUROPE - BNP Paribas Asset Management has wheeled out an addition to its Luxembourg-based umbrella, Parvest.

UK - Invesco has added its contribution to the fixed income debate, forecasting a 50% rise in bond exposure over the next five years, with a particular pull from corporate offerings.

UK - The £2.7bn pension fund for struggling telecoms company Marconi has set a date for its actuarial study during the next quarter, with an outcome expected in September.

UK - Former Phillips & Drew (P&D) fund manager Malcolm Murray has joined SG Asset Management, eight months after leaving the UBS-owned fund manager.

UK - The PEP and ISA Managers' Association (PIMA) has announced its blueprint for replacing the Government's hitherto unpopular Individual Pension Accounts (IPAs).