United Kingdom

UK - Pensions advisory service, OPAS, has applauded the government for taking up the issue of public confidence in pensions.

UK - Darwin Rhodes has opened an office in the centre of Manchester - bringing the total number of its UK offices to six.

UK - Investec Asset Management has further strengthened its UK fixed income team with the appointments of Daniel McMillan as a credit quantitative analyst and Michail Diamantopoulos as a fixed income risk and performance analyst.

UK - Actuary and consultant Barnett Waddingham has promoted eight people to partner and associate across its Amersham, Leeds, London and Liverpool offices.

UK - Government proposals to simplify the tax regime for pension schemes have been put back a year following pressure from within the industry.

UK - Investec Asset Management has implemented a portfolio management tool for its fixed income portfolios.

UK - Revelations that the ex-Lord Chancellor Alexander Irvine is to receive a taxpayer-funded pension worth over £2m have sparked widespread criticism among politicians.

UK - Pension funds opting out of equities on mass will fundamentally change the competitive environment in the pensions market, warns Allianz Dresdner Asset Management.

UK - Royal London Asset Management is set to hit the road with its Guru of Fixed Interest tour promoting bond investment to intermediaries.

UK - Pension funds have welcomed Tesco's promise to look at current directors' contracts.