Europe

FRANCE - Buck Consultants announced that French benefit consultancy, SPAC Actuaires, has joined its global network.

UK - Buyout providers Legal & General and Paternoster reported strong growth during Q1, according to trading results released today.

FRANCE - The French Pension Reserve Fund has announced it is to review all of its investment activities to take into account social and ethical considerations.

UK - Pension Corporation says it welcomes government moves to protect the interests of pension plan members by giving the Pensions Regulator (TPR) additional powers.

UK - Surrey County Council Pension Fund has dumped Schroders from managing a European equity mandate, according to MandateWire.

UK - Parliamentary fund selects Hymans Robertson; US - PIMCO senior hire; UK - Pension payments 'modest'

NORWAY - The Norway Government Pension Fund - Global has reported four consecutive months of losses, as the fund's value fell to US$387bn in March.

UK - Industry players are divided over the Pensions Regulator (TPR) being given powers to control company activity and protect pension scheme members.

ITALY - Threadneedle has opened an office in Milan, headed by ex-UBS staffer, Alessandro Aspesi.

EUROPE - Defined contribution (DC) pension scheme providers said the key concerns for plan providers were effective communication with members (59%) and ensure understanding (57%), according to a survey by Mercer.