United Kingdom

UK - Japanese banking giant Mizuho Corporate Bank has appointed PIFC Benefit Consultants to implement a benefits package for its UK-based staff.

UK - Work and pensions secretary Andrew Smith and his Conservative opposite number, David Willetts, will be going head to head at the NAPF's autumn policy conference.

UK - Britannic Asset Management has appointed Kevin Fenelon as investment director for UK equities.

UK - Trustees of the £1.3bn BAT pension scheme will discuss the results of an asset liability study later this month.

UK - Beleaguered Aberdeen Asset Management is selling Aberdeen Property Investors in a bid to cut debts of around £250m.

UK - The pensions ombudsman has hit out at a string of court rulings which prevent him carrying out his role fully.

UK - A steering group is being set up to take plans for an occupational pensions archive to the next stage.

UK - New employees at retail giant John Lewis may have to wait five years to join the partnership's £1.2bn final salary scheme.

UK - West AM has hired Ian Williams as head of UK new business development and client service.

UK - Mercer Human Resource Consulting will put a cap on contract liabilities sooner rather than later.