Unilever
Unilever sets out plans to overhaul DB offering; Unions join forces to quash proposals
With one of Europe’s most well-known companies planning its most significant pension scheme overhaul to date, unions have stepped in to ensure workers are not short-changed. Hope William-Smith reports.
Unilever sets out plans to overhaul DB offering; Unions join forces to quash proposals
Unilever has set out plans to overhaul its defined benefit (DB) pension arrangements in a bid to manage costs.
Phoenix Group appoints ex-Unilever pension CIO
Wendy Mayall who is the former chief investment officer (CIO) of Unilever's pension fund has been made a non-executive director at Phoenix Group.
Unilever's Mark Walker joins 300 Club
The 300 Club has welcomed Unilever's pension global chief investment officer (CIO) Mark Walker to its team of investment professionals.
Longevity increase could increase deficits 50%
Rising longevity poses a much greater threat to companies with defined benefit (DB) pension schemes than low interest rates, Fitch Ratings has warned.
National Grid scheme appoints chairman
Nigel Stapleton has been appointed as chairman of the National Grid's UK pension scheme with effect from 1 November 2014.
Unilever scheme agrees £129m buy-in
The Uniac Pension Fund, which provides benefits for Unilever workers seconded overseas, has agreed a £129m buy-in with Legal & General (L&G) to cover its pensioner members.
Leading schemes invest £460m in long-term sustainable strategy
Unilever UK Pension Fund, The Pensions Trust and the Environment Agency Pension Fund are among the latest schemes to sign up to responsible investment.
Unilever scheme deficit falls to £1.65bn
The Unilever defined benefit (DB) scheme deficit has fallen from £2.72bn to £1.65bn over 2013.
Final year results re-ignite smoothing debate
The latest set of financial results from FTSE companies has re-ignited the debate over smoothing discount rates as strong asset returns were wiped out due to falls in discount rates.
Unilever blames discount rates for deficit rise
Unilever's scheme deficit rose by €500m in 2012 due to falling discount rates and a 33% fall in the value of its assets.
TPR announces non-executive director hires
The Pensions Regulator has announced three non-executive directors will join the organisation from next month.
Unilever strikes end after CARE scheme agreement
Strike action at Unilever over pension changes will end after trade unions admitted defeat in trying to block the scheme's move to career average.
Unilever trustees agree to scheme changes
The trustee board of the Unilever UK Pension Fund has agreed not to block changes to the scheme proposed by Unilever, its sponsoring employer, despite a wave of national strikes over the firm's move to cease final salary accrual.
Unilever workers set to strike over move to career average
Unilever workers will stage ten days of strike action this month after the firm pushed ahead with plans close its final salary pensions and replace it with career average.
Christmas is cancelled: Unilever withdraw Sainsbury's food vouchers for striking workers
Food giant Unilever has been labelled a "modern day Scrooge" after it withdrew the offer of a £15 Sainsbury's Christmas voucher for workers protesting changes to their pensions.
Unilever workers to strike tomorrow
Unilever employees will go on strike for the first time in the company's history tomorrow in protest against changes to their defined benefit pension scheme.
Unions walk away from Unilever raising strike threat
Unions have walked away from a consultation by Unilever on plans to move all final salary members into career average, making strike action at the firm "very likely", an official says.
Round up - 6 September
Unilever warned against pension closure; Gay couple win equality over pension benefits;
LCP Accounting Survey - FTSE100 deficits slashed by £32bn
The aggregate pension deficit for the UK's biggest companies dropped by 63% in the last year thanks to shifting indexation measures and continuing high levels of employer contributions.
Mayall re-enters consulting industry with Stamford Associates
Wendy Mayall has joined Stamford Associates as a managing director and head of strategy after leaving the Unilever pension scheme.
Unilever scheme investment head Wendy Mayall to leave
Wendy Mayall, chief investment officer for Unilever's UK and Ireland pension scheme, is leaving her position after 16 years to rejoin the consulting industry.
Unilever faces protests over scheme changes
Unilever pension scheme members will descend on the Royal Albert Hall tonight to protest against the company's plan to move final salary members into career average arrangements.
Unilever workers take scheme closure protest to Warrington
Unilever employees are staging a demonstration in Warrington tomorrow over the firm's plans to close its £5.5bn final salary scheme.