Europe

UK - IFA support services provider Bankhall Investment Associates has launched a new compliance and support package in partnership with pensions software provider, The Exchange.

UK - New pension schemes will have the right to appeal Inland Revenue's determinations on their tax status, delegates at the recent PMI Conference heard.

UK - Schroder Property Investment Management is restructuring following the departure of deputy managing director Bill Hughes.

UK - The pensions crisis could have been averted through better government leadership, claim the Liberal Democrats.

UK - Delays in abolishing the minimum funding requirement are causing massive uncertainties for pension schemes, actuaries warn.

UK - Scheme members at failed insurance broking group Bradstock have been warned they face a "waiting game" to see how much liquidators can retrieve.

EUROPE - Eurochambres, the Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry, has given a guarded welcome to the European Union's growth initiative, but urged member states to fulfil earlier promises.

UK - AXA Investment Managers has appointed Paul Griffiths as UK chief investment officer from Investec Asset Management.

UK - Increasing sales of impaired annuities will force up rates for standard policy holders, claims Watson Wyatt.

PORTUGAL - Banco Espirito Santo (BES) has joined BondVision as the first Portuguese dealer to join the web-based trading platform.