United Kingdom

UK/EUROPE - Laura Ahto has joined fixed income specialists PIMCO senior vice president and head of operations and administration to oversee the firm's London expansion.

UK - Companies should not be required to provide pensions and should only have to recommend a safe savings environment, according to the Adam Smith Institute, a right-wing think-tank.

UK - Internet-based company information service Hemscott has launched a subscription-only premium service.

UK - The chances of the government changing the age-75 rule on annuities in the next five years are virtually zero, a Whitehall adviser claims.

UK - Stock market falls have prompted pension funds to fast-track their planned shift from equities to bonds, fund managers say.

UK - Pensions law specialist Sackers & Partners has strengthened its team with the appointment of Georgina Beechinor, Elanor Dymott, Emily Forrest and Nicholas Laird as assistant solicitors.

UK - Pension funds are welcoming tough new laws for directors who fail to give "honest" information on company accounts.

UK - Institutional investment house WestAM has strengthened its global fixed income and currencies team with a new hire.

UK - Pensions ombudsman David Laverick has refuted a deferred pensioner's claim that under human rights law he is not an "impartial judge".

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