United Kingdom

UK - Liberal Democrats want employees to have greater protection from pension scheme closures.

UK - Neptune Investment Management has appointed Barry Norris as fund manager on the European equity fund.

UK - Edinburgh Fund Managers has selected software, services and consultancy Marlborough Stirling as its outsourcing partner for its Edinburgh Portfolio Pension plans.

UK - Consultants fear brewing giant Scottish & Newcastle's likely decision to contract back in to the State Second Pension will open the floodgates for other employers to follow suit.

UK - Gartmore Investment Management is reviewing its defined contribution operations which could, sources say, lead to it pulling out of the business.

UK - SG Asset Management has signed up to the London Principles, a code of conduct to encourage financial services firms to promote sustainable development.

UK - Towers Perrin is "virtually closing" its UK investment consultancy arm after deciding to retain only one senior analyst in the division.

UK - Leading consultants are joining forces to confront the TUC over compulsory employer pension contributions.

UK - Fund managers have warned schemes to brace themselves for further losses in their equity portfolios one year on from the September 11 attacks.

UK - Privately-held finance group Rothschild is pulling out of institutional and retail fund management to focus on private banking and wealth management.