Europe

UK - Watson Wyatt has appointed Kambiz Deljouie and Maurizio Abbruzzo to its investment strategy team in Reigate.

EUROPE - The Forum of European Asset Managers (FEAM) has "broadly" welcomed the white paper from the European Commission on enhancing the single market framework for investment funds as "a very positive step forward in the evolution of regulation".

UK - Trustees and actuaries that are too conservative - such as those who adopt liability driven investments (LDI) strategies - could leave themselves vulnerable to negligence claims, said Reynolds Porter Chamberlain (RPC).

BENELUX - Pioneer Investments has poached Jillert Blom from Putnam Investments to head up its institutional sales in the Benelux region, and announced its intention to open an Amsterdam office in coming months.

EUROPE - Dexia credited steady growth of management and performance fees for the near 30% increase in revenues to e172m from its asset management division during the first nine months of 2006.

EUROPE - Nikko Asset Management, the Japan-based asset management group, has appointed Charles Beazley president of the firm's European operations.

UK - British Airways' has included the option of a normal retirement age of 60, but one workers union this morning again insisted on keeping the retirement age "below 60".

US/UK - US pension plan managers take a more aggressive investment approach to equities than their UK counterparts, while pension plans have a markedly higher impact on UK companies, Aon Consulting has found.

ITALY - The Bank of Italy has called for the retirement age to be raised in order to ensure the financial sustainability of the insurance system.

UK - British Airways is to make an £800m one off cash injection and three further payments of up to £50m annually into its ailing pension scheme, as the airline looks to tackle its massive £2.1bn deficit.