United Kingdom

UK - The NAPF has slammed government proposals for a central discontinuance fund as unworkable.

UK - Pension schemes will have a far stronger voice on boardroom policy following the Higgs Review on corporate governance, industry experts believe.

UK - Britannic Asset Management's head of pooled funds, David Harris, is to leave the firm as part of its voluntary redundancy programme.

UK - Newcastle Building Society has introduced a Capital Safe Bond that offers a 100% return on capital, even if the market falls.

UK - Is the select committee on pensions turning into a farce?

UK - Hopes of an early change to wind-up regulations were dashed after a motion put forward by the Conservatives was defeated in parliament.

UK/JAPAN - The Ethical Investment Research Service is to offer research on almost 400 Japanese companies after a link-up with a Japanese research company.

UK - Unions are gearing up for a battle to keep Birmingham Airport's final salary scheme open.

UK - Trema has launched an applications suite which it claims will enable asset managers to accurately control and monitor performance of their portfolios.

UK - Neonet - an international agency broker that provides electronic equity execution services for institutional investors - has hired Kate Pritchard as a sales executive in its London office.