United Kingdom

UK - According to reports, trustees of the BT Pension Scheme have considered implementing a new business plan for Hermes, the fund's spin-off investment business, which will be announced later this month.

UK - Recommendations in today's Walker Report on private equity have been welcomed by industry bodies, but described as a "diversion" by the union Unite.

UK - The Pensions Regulator is to act as monitor of personal accounts to be introduced in 2012, under proposals from Mike O'Brien, minister for pension reform.

UK - The Pensions Action Group will hold an all-night vigil outside Downing Street tomorrow to protest the government's bail-out of Northern Rock, while victims of pension scheme wind-ups are still waiting for compensation.

UK - The pension fund buyout market is yet to fulfil its potential after an unimpressive third quarter, according to Aon Consulting.

UK - The Association of Consulting Actuaries (ACA) has called on the government to lift the ban on conditionally indexed pensions in order to slow the retreat from defined benefit (DB) schemes.

UK - Four Swiss Life Asset Management ex-staffers have set up an asset manager boutique, focusing on long-only equity funds.

UK - The National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF) has appointed Keith Hollander as business development director, a new role aimed to enhance its offering to members.

UK - Sainsbury's two defined benefit (DB) pension schemes posted a year to date surplus of £228m (US$456m) compared to a deficit of £276m at the same time last year.

UK - Hewitt Associates has accused the Pension Regulator of putting trustees under extra pressure in its draft clearance guidance, released yesterday.