United Kingdom

UK - Asset managers are opting for in-house computer systems rather than outsourcing their administration, new research claims.

UK - Tom McGinley has been appointed sales trader in the pan-European sales department at SG Corporate & Investment Banking.

UK - Clerical Medical has written an "adviser's guide" which it hopes will help IFAs to make the most of business opportunities in small to medium-sized firms.

UK - Jacqueline Holmes has been appointed as senior consultant at Watson Wyatt.

UK - Universities Superannuation Scheme has expanded its property investment with the opening of a 150,000 sq ft shopping mall extension.

UK - Socially responsible investment is likely to give scheme members better returns than equity or growth funds, research by the Investment Management Association has revealed.

UK - Politicians must stop interfering with the state pension and adopt policies that will restore faith in pension provision before it is too late, Gissings warns.

UK - Former employees of troubled French engineer Alstom have called on the government to protect their pensions amid fears of the forced wind-up of its UK scheme.

UK - Speciality chemicals and paint manufacturing giant ICI has promised to make up a £443m pensions hole following the triennial valuation of its scheme.

UK/US - Grave lessons must be learned from the US Pensions Benefit Guaranty Corporation to ensure that the UK's protection fund does not fail, consultants warn.