United Kingdom

UK - Allianz Global Investors is contemplating a move into the burgeoning UK bulk annuity buy-out market at a time when the viability of such businesses is being called into question.

UK - Watson Wyatt has hired Jim MacLachlan to join its global manager research team as a senior investment consultant, effective this month.

UK - Merrill Lynch Investment Managers (MLIM) has expanded its Global Consultant Relations team in London with the appointment of Paul Hamilton.

UK - Falkirk Council Pension Fund has tendered a £120m contract for diversified fixed income assets, which the fund said it hoped to award by the end of the year.

MPC Investors has appointed Dan Mannix as head of sales in a newly created role, where he will be responsible for leading MPC's sales efforts globally.

UK - Wellington Management International has lost a £160m equity mandate with the £3.6bn Merseyside Pension Fund due to performance-related issues.

UK - The Association of British Insurers has refuted the claim that Fidelity International's model for personal accounts was a stronger alternative than the one drawn up by the ABI.

UK - Simon Melluish, previously head of US equities at Gartmore, has returned to the firm to take up a new role in the global equities team.

UK - A campaign by employers for a year's delay before making compulsory pension contributions would see over four million workers deprived of a proper pension.

UK - Keith Jones, CEO at Morley Fund Management will resign from his post at year-end, leaving the role open to a new hire.