Europe

UK - Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GSAM) and State Street Global Advisors (SSgA) have launched two new strategies for institutional investors.

UK - Shropshire County Council pension fund has awarded a £46m pan European Property contract to Arlington Property Investors.

NORWAY - The Norwegian Government Pension Fund achieved a 1.5% return in the first quarter - however a stronger krone in relation to the investment currencies reduced the portfolio's market value by NOK 27.6bn.

UK - AEGON and UBS Global Asset Management have joined forces in the UK to launch a buy-out solution aimed at schemes with liabilities in excess of £300m.

UK - Credit Suisse has appointed Tim Sweeting as head of institutional distribution for absolute return strategies in the Europe, Middle-East and Africa (EMEA) division for the asset management business.

UK - Russell Investment Group has sought feedback on how the T Standard measure could be improved.

UK - PricewaterhouseCoopers Legal (PWC Legal) has rocked the perception that trustees have the power to scupper potential deals and acquisitions.

UK - The Pension Protection Fund (PPF) has confirmed Martin Clarke's appointment as permanent director of financial risk.

BELGIUM - The KBC pension fund has adopted a liability driven investment (LDI) solution provided by its parent KBC Asset Management.

Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (OTPP) and Victorian Funds Management Corp (VFMC) look set to take a 48.25% stake of the UK's fifth largest airport for £420m ($US828m).