Aviva

GLOBAL - Pension funds have been returning to the UK property market in the wake of improving returns after the asset class lost almost half of its value in two years, industry figures said.

After a tumultuous decade in investment, Raquel Pichardo-Allison and Giovanni Legorano speak to industry experts about what the next 10 years hold for investment practices

Aviva UK life and pensions new business sales fell almost 25% in 2009 as the insurer was hit by the tough economic conditions, but bumper Q4 sales have given it confidence for 2010.

Aviva has acquired US equity manager River Road Asset Management as it looks to grow its institutional business and expand in the US market.

UK/US - Aviva has acquired US equity manager River Road Asset Management as it looks to grow its institutional business and expand in the US market.

IRELAND - Aviva Investors is set to shut down most of its Irish operations, leaving only a service centre in Dublin.

Friends Provident has appointed Dominic Fryer as strategy and risk manager in its corporate team.

UK - BlackRock Investment Management will transfer two real estate funds of funds worth £54.8m (US$90.4m) and €62.6m (US$93m) to Aviva Investors Global Services after the fund manager left the firm for Aviva.

Aviva's life and pension sales fell 11% in the first nine months of 2009, but the insurer says it has made significant improvements to its capital position.

Pensions review reveals breaches of disclosure rule; Pension funds recover $1.5trn; Insurers fear calamity over EU rules on bank bonds