Europe

EUROPE - F&C Asset Management has cited a shift in Dutch pension fund policy as the main reason for the net €6.1bn withdrawn by clients in the last three months, according to media reports.

UK - Simon Stead has joined The Pensions Trust as pensions administration manager, having spent the last 10 years with Aon in a similar role.

UK - Companies will not be spared from continued large contributions to their pension schemes as trustees plan to increase funding targets by an average of 10%.

EUROPE - Patrick Burke has been elected director of the European Federation for Retirement Provision, taking over from Nora Finn.

EUROPE - European asset managers are continuing to charge the Italian pensions market with Raiffeisen the latest manager to reveal plans to strengthen its offering in the region.

ITALY - The pensioners' unions took to the streets this morning in a demonstration against the government demanding direct involvement in negotiations for pension reform.

UK - Aegon said it expected to close its first pensions buy-out deal by the first quarter of 2007, having recently announced plans to move into the space as of Monday next week.

EUROPE - The EU directive to enhance shareholders' rights is due to be agreed early next year, said Pierre Delsaux, director general of internal market and services at the European Commission.

UK - Gartmore has increased its focus on global emerging markets with two new hires as it aims to target the consumer and information technology sectors in these areas.

UK - ING Real Estate Investment Management has appointed Charles Follows as head of UK research and forecasting.