Europe

UK - Hermes Pensions Management has moved to reassure clients after the shock resignations of directors Peter Butler and Steve Brown.

UK - Britain's biggest union is urging the government to make compulsory pension contributions a priority and set employer rates at 10% minimum.

UK - Employer contributions to money purchase plans are "well under half" rates paid into final salary schemes, a new survey shows.

UK - Henry Stewart Conference Studies is holding a pensions briefing for non-specialists, support staff and newcomers to the industry.

UK - A high court judge has warned the pensions ombudsman to be "careful" to ensure decisions are soundly based and correctly reasoned.

UK - Local authorities are backing plans to reform the Local Government Pension Scheme.

UK - The government will table an amendment to the Pensions Bill to prevent further large-scale scheme collapses like Turner & Newall.

UK - Almost half of the largest pension funds in the United Kingdom are contributing money to hedge funds or planning to invest.

UK - Putnam Investments has strengthened its European equities division, with the appointment of Mark Pollard (pictured) as managing director, chief investment officer.

UK - A new service to ease the corporate responsibility reporting burden on companies has been launched by the London Stock Exchange.