United Kingdom

UK - The Legal Service Commission Pension & Assurance Scheme is currently looking to hire a firm to provide administration, actuarial and investment consulting services.

UK - JPMorgan Treasury Services - which provides pension funds and companies with cash management facilities - has boosted its Bournemouth operations centre.

UK - A leading consultant has warned Threadneedle Investments that derogatory remarks by its chief executive about investors could have an adverse impact upon its business.

UK - Hermes Pensions Management has opposed the re-election of Scottish Investment Trust chairman Sir Angus Grossart because "he is no longer independent".

UK - Employers have no legal obligation to advise part-time staff on backdated pensions rights, the pension ombudsman has confirmed.

UK - Government proposals to cut VAT on all types of pension fund management fees will increase costs, the Investment Management Association claims.

UK/US - Workplace training by AVC and group personal pension providers can prevent US-style litigation, Prudential claims.

UK - Marlborough Stirling division The Exchange has reduced fees and packaging structure for its analysis tools on Exweb.

UK - Scottish Life's occupational group pension sales jumped nearly 50% to £54.6m last year.

UK - ING Real Estate Investment Management UK (formerly Baring, Houston & Saunders) has recently appointed Emma Tooley to its acquisitions and development team.