United Kingdom

UK - Standard & Poor's long awaited service for measuring the financial strength of defined benefit schemes will go live later this month.

UK - F&C Management has appointed Alison McKnight (pictured) to a newly created post of group head of new business services. McKnight will work closely with F&C's sales and marketing teams across Europe and all investment desks and will be responsible...

UK - Pensions advisory service OPAS is appealing for more volunteers to cope with its increasing workload.

UK - Investec's global assets under management (AUM) have increased by more than 22.2% to £20.6bn for the financial year ended March 31, 2004.

UK - The Investment Management Association is testing a revamped version of the Pension Fund Disclosure Code on transaction costs on three schemes and their fund managers.

UK - The Bank of New York is extending the custody services it provides for the £17bn Electricity Supply Pension Scheme.

UK - Orbit Benefits is taking over benefit administration for the Carphone Warehouse's 5000 UK employees.

UK - Morley Fund Management was the investment house most likely to vote against remuneration in the past 12 months, a survey by the Trades Union Congress shows.

UK - Calls for a national rail strike have been put on hold as union chiefs continue emergency talks on their pensions dispute.

UK - Insight Investment has overhauled its investment teams in an effort to deliver higher returns in what it calls a "more focused and efficient manner".