United Kingdom

UK - Utility and transport companies are seeking approval to shunt the burden of their deficit-ridden pension schemes to the public through increased prices.

UK - The £341m London Borough of Greenwich Superannuation Fund has dropped Schroder Investment Management after adopting a specialist manager structure.

SWITZERLAND/UK - J O Hambro Capital Management is targeting institutional investors in the UK and Switzerland with the launch of two new investment funds - a European mid-cap fund and a European blue-chip mid-cap fund.

UK - The shift from final salary to money purchase occupational pensions provision is abating, the fourth defined contribution survey carried out by JPMorgan Fleming shows.

UK - The Co-operative Group's £2bn CWS Pension Fund has rehired Merrill Lynch Investment Managers after reaching an out-of-court settlement to its "poor performance" law suit.

UK - Watson Wyatt has promoted 27 of its European associates to partner level.

UK - The £669m Devonport Royal Dockyard Pension Scheme has appointed HSBC Global Investor Services to monitor its equity transactions costs.

UK - The £750m IMI Pension Fund has appointed three managers following its shift from a balanced to a specialist investment structure.

UK - F&C Property Investment Management has acquired Valegate Retail Park on behalf of the £22bn Electricity Supply Pension Scheme.

UK - Multi-managers are tapping into the DC market and forging lucrative partnerships with the UK's biggest providers].