United Kingdom

UK - Financial services giant Alexander Forbes has launched Investment Solutions, a multi-manager business which will target defined contribution and closed final salary schemes.

UK - Staff at engineering firm Smiths Group face a massive increase in contributions to bolster its ailing pension scheme.

UK - Jane Coffey has been appointed to the new role of head of equities at Royal London Asset Management (RLAM).

UK - Trade unions will try to scupper Granada's bid to take more control of the ITV network unless the firm reopens its final salary scheme.

UK - The £950m Surrey County Council Pension Fund has put 95% of its assets out to tender following a review of its investment arrangements.

UK - Chris Lewin (pictured), high profile pension fund manager of the massive Unilever Superannuation Fund, is to leave the fund by the end of the year.

UK - The government's review of scheme compliance with the Myners Report is likely to be delayed, industry sources have told IPN' sister publication, Professional Pensions.

UK - Fund managers are slowing the move to long-term, liability-driven mandates, Watson Wyatt claims.

UK - The £283.8m Audit Commission Pension Scheme is looking to hire a new investment consultant to replace Aon Consulting.

UK - Nvesta, a provider of structured investments, has appointed Toby Perrott as sales consultant from American Life.