United Kingdom

UK/GLOBAL - British pensions schemes are closing the gap on their overseas counterparts in the use of UK private equity at an "unprecedented" rate, new figures show.

UK - The Accounting Standards Board has slammed companies and pension schemes which criticise FRS17.

UK - Kenneth Greig has been appointed as director of technical services at Scottish Widows Investment Partnership.

UK - Schemes are being urged to carry out immediate reviews of administration processes after Watson Wyatt uncovered a loophole which could have cost one scheme £5m.

UK - Hymans Robertson has been appointed as actuary and investment adviser to two pension schemes belonging to the Institute of Chartered Accountant of England and Wales.

UK - The £280m Dumfries and Galloway Council Superannuation Fund seems set to make sweeping changes once a review is complete.

UK - Merrill Lynch Investment Managers have lost Habib Annous following a recent spate of departures from the firm.

UK - State Street Global Advisors has successfully completed the transfer of Gartmore Investment Management's passive equity business.

UK - The NAPF must embrace defined contribution plans or wither along with defined benefit schemes, EMAP group benefits manager Ralph Turner has warned.

UK - The Local Authority Pension Fund Forum has advised its members to vote against a proposed executive share option scheme at Selfridges.