United Kingdom

UK - The £83bn Local Government Pension Scheme is to consider moving towards a hybrid or career average scheme for new members.

UK - Drinks giant Diageo has dismissed fears about the health of its pension schemes despite plunging into deficit under FRS17.

US/UK - Gartmore Group has strengthened its hedge fund of funds business with senior hires, following the earlier acquisition of US specialist firm Riverview.

UK - Karen Head is joining Kristina Lushey as an equal partner at Key Selection.

UK - Mercer Human Resource Consulting has appointed VIictor Fetter as head of information technology.

UK - Northern Venture Managers - part of Edinburgh Fund Managers since June 2000 - has provided £800,000 development finance to Leeds-based software company, Liquidlogic.

UK - Homes builder Persimmon is merging its defined benefit schemes in a bid to maintain paying employees' final salary benefits.

UK - Scottish Life Administration Services has appointed Colin Hamilton client operations manager for its third party administration business in Edinburgh.

UK - Pension funds could see their UK equity portfolios rise by up to 15% by the end of the year, leading analysts predict.

UK - State Street Global Advisors has appointed Anthony Kemple as an investment manager in its currency management team.