Europe

UK - Mercer has set up a global practice to focus on human resource technology and operations consulting.

UK - Telecom giant Vodafone faced a revolt from shareholders after board members gave themselves pay rises of up to 11%.

UK - The London Borough of Hackney Superannuation Fund has gone out to tender for an actuary following Watson Wyatt's decision to exit the local authority market.

UK - Pensions Investment Research Consultants is recommending opposition to Carpetright's remuneration report at its annual general meeting on August 12.

UK - Mercer Human Resource Consulting has expanded its London-based international consulting team with four senior appointments.

UK - Two employers have been fined a total of £5500 for failing to make payments into personal pension plans.

UK - PIFC Consulting has appointed Paul Crocker as a director of its corporate development division.

UK - Engineering company Smiths is to raise its pension contributions to plug a spiralling £480m deficit.

UK - The £646m Shropshire County Council Pension Fund has appointed Goldman Sachs Asset Management to run a £49m US enhanced index brief.

UK - Employers are turning to flexible benefit plans to manage their spiralling pension costs and help retain final salary schemes, Mercer Human Resource Consulting claims.