United Kingdom

UK - A report on the future viability of the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) has called for a shake-up in the way the scheme is funded and could result in sweeping changes.

UK - Schroders has appointed BlackRock's ex-head of UK and European business to lead its entire UK property fund portfolio.

UK - Pension fund buyouts and trapped surpluses were high on company agendas, according to data released by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

UK - The Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (LAPFF), has shown its commitment to shareholder engagement by backing the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI).

UK - The Pensions Regulator has stepped in to resolve a battle between EMI Group's pension trustees and new owner Terra Firma Capital Partners.

UK - Paternoster has announced it took on a further £406m in pension fund assets in the third quarter of 2007.

UK - Telecommunications company, O2 has awarded Neptune Investment Management a mandate to manage £75m of its pension plan.

UK - Mercer has appointed Michael Kinney as new European head of implemented consulting from Bramdean's multi-manager business.

UK - Rising longevity has been causing headaches for large companies with defined benefits (DB) pension plans, according to a survey by Watson Wyatt.

UK - John Lewis Partnership Pension Trust Limited has awarded a £150m global equities mandate to Schroders' Global Active Value fund.