United Kingdom

UK - The Cadbury Pension Fund has sought to boost its value to shareholders by completing a £500m (US$815m) buy-in insurance contract with Pension Insurance Corporation.

UK - Hermes Fund Managers has bought a majority interest in Sourcecap International, a growth oriented, active European equity manager.

UK - The Royal Mail pension scheme is straining under the pressure of a potentially record-breaking pensions deficit, the company said.

UK - Alistair Darling's proposals to reform public sector pensions cover up a 45% hike in costs next year, independent pensions consultant Ros Altmann warned.

UK - Overall investment manager search activity increased in the UK during the first nine months of the year in a sign activity is returning to pre-credit crunch levels, Mercer said.

FRANCE - Investment returns are becoming dominated by the emerging markets, Mercer said.

UK - Mark Rowlands has resigned as AXA head of consultant relations.

Alan Rubenstein, chief executive of the UK's Pension Protection Fund speaks to Jonathan Stapleton about the lifeboat fund's annual report and the risks it faces in the future

Professional Pensions, Global Pensions' sister title recently held its annual show in London. Pinsent Masons' partner Robin Ellison grilled pensions minister Angela Eagle on the implementation of personal accounts and automatic enrolment in the UK

Jonathan Stapleton spoke to UK's Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT) pensions communication and policy manager Teresa Berkengoff about its pension quality mark, member communication and an innovative financial awareness programme it is launching for employees...