United Kingdom

UK - Internal pension fund managers produce superior investment returns to those achieved by external firms, according to the WM Company.

UK - Hermes UK Small Companies Focus Fund became operational this week.

UK - Frank Russell has boosted its capital markets research team with the hiring of Brett McElwee as an analyst based in London.

UK - Clerical Medical Investment Management (CMIM) is on the hunt for a number of investment professionals as it gears up to achieve the targets it has set itself in terms of winning new business.

UK - Rolls-Royce has dismissed concerns surrounding the health of its UK and international pension funds, following news that the company has pension liabilities of £397m.

UK - The Myners review - which celebrated its fist anniversary this week - has brought greater trustee professionalism and improved scheme decision-making, according to industry experts.

UK - One London borough, Brent, has appointed to private equity while another, Waltham Forest, has had its plans delayed until summer.

UK - UK fund managers say they have shirked off much of the impact of the Enron collapse, and claimed the UK is not suffering from the nervousness currently affecting the US markets.

UK - Global custodian Northern Trust claims it now has 20% of the UK's local authority market.

UK - New regulations which aim to give pension scheme members increased protection against wind-ups could have the reverse effect, a consultant claims.