UK – A European pension fund has tendered a £115m ($200m) mandate to run a UK equity portfolio.

The search (Q567) says the mandate will be awarded to a manager running a fairly style-neutral enhanced portfolio (maximum 2% tracking error) and with a history of consistent excess performance.

The portfolio will be funded in the second quarter of 2006 as a long-only strategy. The pension fund is currently exploring the legal and administrative aspects of giving the manager some shorting flexibility, and questions will be asked about the manager’s experience of running long portfolios with some shorting flexibility, e.g. 130%/30%.

The scheme is looking for an enhanced index strategy, and managers who have periodically exceeded a 2% tracking error will be taken into consideration.

The closing date is 9 February 2006.