United Kingdom

UK - Fund manager engagement with companies shows that the level of transparency is increasing, according to Investment Management Association's (IMA) latest annual survey.

UK - Marked discrepancies in the longevity assumptions used to calculate pension scheme deficits for local government pension schemes have been revealed by research from BDO Stoy Hayward Investment Management.

UK - The Pension Protection Fund (PPF) has responded to criticism of its new pension fund index and invited actuarial firm Punter Southall to "discuss" its concerns with the organisation in person.

UK - Michael Hughes, chief investment officer of Baring Asset Management, is to retire at the end of 2007.

UK - Glasgow City Council is seeking a master custodian for the Strathclyde Pension fund.

UK - Nicola Ralston, ex-head of global investment consulting at Hewitt, has joined Liability Solutions, forecasting challenging times ahead for traditional consultants.

UK - The Pension Protection Fund (PPF) will next Monday launch an index to provide monthly updates on the estimated funding positions of 7,800 defined benefit (DB) pension schemes against their PPF liabilities.

UK - Large pension funds are still concentrating on investment returns to meet funding requirements according to a new study by Hewitt Associates.

UK - State Street Global Markets has swiped three senior strategists from competitors to expand its research team.

UK - Northamptonshire County Council pension fund has awarded two fund of hedge funds mandates, totaling £56m.