There have been several new manager appointments and departures at the GBP500 million Mirror Group Pension Scheme, although Financial Controller Eric Keetch was tight-lipped about the details.
MetallRente Pensionfonds, the multi-employer scheme for the German metal industry, has decided to invest only in shares of companies that fit socially responsible investment criteria.
Kantonale Pensionskasse Solothurn, the CHF2.4 billion (GBP1.5 billion) multi-employer defined contribution scheme, plans to raise its bonds allocation while reducing its exposure to equity.
Three asset managers have been terminated by manager of managers Spängler Fonds KAG.
The GBP1.58 billion Shipbuilding Industries Pension Scheme has completed its valuation and the results are due to be discussed at the next trustee meeting on Sept. 22.
The British Airways Pension Fund has made a change to previous strategy and invested in City of London office property.
The GBP43 million Knight Frank Staff Pension Fund is discussing moves into diversified growth funds or alternatives, with decisions expected following the results of the asset/liability matching study in October.
Assurinvest AG, a Swiss investment consultancy firm specialising in pension funds, will advise its clients to replace underperforming managers at the end of the year, particularly those handling international bonds.
Caterpillar Fonds de Prevoyance, the EUR55 million Belgian defined benefit scheme, plans to apply a more passive approach to real estate due to disappointing performance amid risk in the past two years.
ING Real Estate Select has lost a mandate from GBP1.3 billion North Yorkshire County Council Pension Fund following its move to the Netherlands earlier this year.
Sandviks Pensionsstiftelse, the SEK1.9 billion defined benefit scheme, has plans to increase real estate and alternatives, mainly private equity and venture capital, before the end of the year.
AngloGold Pension Fund, the ZAR2 billion (GBP176 million) for the mining company in South Africa, is prepping to hire an additional international equity manager.
The GBP195 million Norwest Holst Pension Scheme is still considering further infrastructure investment, while fiduciary management talks have stalled.
Stichting Algemeen Pensioenfonds Provisum, a EUR1 billion defined contribution scheme, has made a maiden foray into commodities worth 5%, following a recently completed asset/liability modelling study.
Berolina Pensionskasse VVaG (Unilever Deutschland), the EUR1.2 billion German corporate defined benefit scheme, plans to invest in alternatives next year, most likely in hedge funds.
Electrolux Pensionsstiftelse, a SEK19 billion (GBP1.67 billion) corporate defined contribution scheme, will this year continue to increase investment in alternative assets.
The GBP2.28 billion Nationwide Building Society Pension Fund has appointed two new unconstrained equity managers and plans to appoint several more.
ING Australia, with around AUD8.9 billion in super funds, is planning to introduce alternatives to its portfolio for the first time for diversification.
The South African pension fund for British American Tobacco is planning to hire an investment consultant and is finalising a contract with a new multi-manager.
Nest Sammelstiftung, the CHF870 million (GBP546 million) multi-employer defined contribution scheme, may make a maiden investment in infrastructure in a few months’ time.
The GBP1 billion Cardiff & Vale of Glamorgan Pension Scheme has released a tender notice to the Official Journal of the European Union looking to hire a new manager for a global real estate fund of funds mandate.
The London Borough of Islington Pension Fund has submitted a tender notice to the Official Journal of the European Union for two separate passive mandates for equity and fixed income.
Dätwyler Holding AG, the CHF350 million (GBP218 million) Swiss corporate defined contribution scheme, may increase its equity exposure.
The four Swedish buffer funds—AP-Fonden 1 to 4—have tendered a mandate for analysis of environmental, social and ethical aspects of potential investments.
The Pension Protection Fund is seeking a manager for alternative credit.
The Northern Ireland Local Government Officers’ Superannuation Committee has tendered a consulting services mandate for its GBP3.5 billion scheme.
AP-Fonden 1, the first Swedish national pension fund, has tendered hedge fund mandates worth between USD1.1-1.5 billion.
Aargauische Pensionskasse (APK), the CHF8 billion (GBP4.9 billion) Swiss public defined contribution scheme, is reviewing its asset allocation.
Pensionskasse des Bundes PUBLICA, the CHF32.5 billion (GBP19.9 billion) Swiss federal pension fund, plans to look for at least two new asset managers to handle euro- and dollar-denominated fixed-income credit.
Telstra Super is preparing a full review of its investment portfolio worth AUD10.2 billion (GBP6.2 billion), following the hire of its new chairman, David Leggo.
Fondation de Prévoyance Edipresse, the CHF500 million (GBP302 million) Swiss defined benefit scheme, is watching closely the performance of at least two managers handling global equity and global bonds.
PV–PROMEA, the CHF840 million (GBP514.6 million) hybrid scheme, will look for a new investment consultant in three months.
The GBP1.2 billion Fife Council Superannuation Fund has put out two tenders for new investment managers in absolute return and infrastructure.
Caisse de Pensions de la Republique et Canton du Jura (CPJU), the CHF925 million (GBP550 million) Swiss public defined benefit scheme, is considering raising its real estate allocation.
Pensionskasse Pro, the CHF1.85 billion (GBP1.11 billion) Swiss multi-employer defined contribution fund, is planning to increase its investment in convertible bonds while slightly reducing its exposure to equity.
The GBP1.2 billion Dyfed Pension Fund will go out to tender for a custodian in June and an independent advisor in September; both with the Official Journal for the European Union.
The GBP4.1 billion Tyne & Wear Pension Fund is reviewing plans to raise its alternatives allocation, with a decision expected in the next six months.
Multi-manager Skandia is prepping to launch a range of 20 single-manager funds, which will enable U.K. financial advisers to access institutional fund managers for single asset classes and investment strategies.
The GBP50.5 million U.K. Budgens Pension Scheme is looking to close its defined benefit scheme to future pension accruals and move towards liability-driven investments.
TWU Superannuation Fund, the AUD2.3 billion (GBP1.3 billion) pension fund for the Australian transport sector, is planning to reduce its Australia equity portfolio and reallocate to hedge funds.
The New Zealand Government Superannuation Fund is seeking to hire its first international inflation-linked securities manager.
The ZAR6.3 billion (GBP560 million) Transport Pension Fund is planning a shift into defined contribution away from its defined benefit arrangement.
Some institutional investors are embracing alternatives once again in a bid to boost returns as the global recession is believed to be reaching a turning point.
With Brazil hosting the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016, investment opportunities in infrastructure are vast, and both foreign and local investors will put more money to work in the next few years.