EUROPE - A Scandinavian pension fund is looking to invest $400m (€282m) in emerging market equity, using IPE Quest.

The scheme tendering mandate QN1172 specifies it would like the manager to employ a quantitative-based investment process, with both traditional active quant management or passive quant strategies, such as fundamental weighting, minimum variance or maximum diversification allowed.

Additionally, managers will be allowed to invest for value or momentum, with a mixture of both styles also considered, with all investments long-only and not leveraged.

Companies should apply the MSCI Emerging Markets index as benchmark and will be allowed to seek exposure to its entire universe, but should allow for the scheme's money to be managed in a segregated account within the fund's investment trust.

Further, they should also be aware of the pension scheme's socially responsible investment blacklist, with 15-20 of the 70 companies located in emerging markets.

Managers should preferably have three years of experience and apply by 28 April if interested.

Meanwhile, a Swiss institutional investor is looking to invest $100m in a quantitative US equity mandate.

Quest search QN1173 offers a number of potential benchmarks, including the MSCI US Equity index, the S&P500 and the Russell 1000 and Russell 3000 indices.

Managers should be able to invest based on one of the following - minimum variance, guarantee equal weighting, employ fundamental indexing or diversity weighting - or similar approaches.

Interested parties should preferably have at least three years' experience in the US market, but a shorter track record is allowable if the firm can demonstrate its track record in other established markets.

Parties should express their interest by 7 April.

Meanwhile, the East Sussex County Council Pension Fund has appointed F&C Asset Management to provide it with corporate governance advice.

The £1.8bn (€2bn) scheme said the company would be expected to assist with voting and engagement with investee companies, paying particular attention to environmental impact of investments.

At the time of the initial tender, the scheme's equity assets totaled around £1bn, both UK and overseas, and were held mostly pooled funds.

Finally, the Swedish commune of Enköpings has awarded Skandikon its contract for providing pension services, as well as fund management, investment, administration and consultancy services.

The IPE.com news team is unable to answer any further questions about IPE Quest tender notices to protect the interests of clients conducting the search. To obtain information direct from IPE Quest, please contact Jayna Vishram on +44 (0) 20 7261 4630 or email jayna.vishram@ipe-quest.com.