Europe

UK - Pension schemes disagree with new rules that will make trustees legally liable for their actions, a snapshot survey shows.

UK - Institutional investment in government securities rose by £7.6bn in the second and third quarters of 2003, figures from the Office of National Statistics show.

UK - Increases in future inflation assumptions have caused pension scheme liabilities to soar by up to 15% during 2003 - wiping out any stock market gains, Gissings says.

UK - Trade union Amicus is threatening to "step up" pressure on employers this year in a bid to protect pension scheme members.

UK - Independent Trustee Services has been appointed independent trustee of the beleaguered Ballast Group's pension schemes.

DENMARK- Valby-based BankPension, the Danish fund for the financial industry, has appointed the London-based MezzVest to a E6m private equity mandate. Head of investments Leif Hasager said the fund had allocated 10% to private equity and the mandate to...

UK - Independent consultant Garvins was appointed as actuary to nine DB schemes during 2003, taking its total number of clients to nearly 60 schemes.

UK - Russell Investment Group is to acquire private equity specialist Pantheon Ventures for an undisclosed amount.

UK - Two new senior pensions posts have been created at the House of Commons following a revamp of its finance department.

UK - Lane Clark & Peacock LLP has appointed Griff Williams as a senior consultant within its investment department.