Europe

UK - A conference on corporate SIPPs will be held in London on February 5.

UK - The Darwin Group - a newly formed specialist research firm - has targeted top pension funds with the aim of offering long-term analysis of FTSE100 companies.

UK - Broadcasting group BSkyB has had its credit rating raised from "junk" status despite continuing corporate governance concerns.

UK - Pension schemes are backing a £500m offer made by Collins Stewart for the Telegraph Group.

UK - Nine out of 10 companies have rejected the need for EU legislation on corporate governance, a survey by Hewitt Associates shows.

EUROPE - Thirty-two per cent of European finance directors are ‘significantly concerned' that pension plan financing will negatively impact on their company's cashflow.

UK - British Nuclear Fuels has struck a deal with unions to ensure shift workers receive enhanced pensionable pay to match white collar staff at the Sellafield power plant.

UK - International pensions and insurance specialist Berkeley Burke Group has acquired Romford-based Macartney & Dowie.

France - Aventis, the Franco-German pharmaceutical company, has decided to infuse an additional e1.5bn to its pension fund in Germany.

UK - Standard Life Investments is to launch five multi-manager funds, which will be constructed by the US-based consultant Wilshire Associates.