EUROPE - The French asset management association and the UK insurance industry body have been named as full members of the European Federation for Retirement Provision.

The EFRP said that France's Association Française de la Gestion Financière and the Association of British Insurers would join as full member from the start of next year. The announcement follows a decision taken at the EFRP's general assembly yesterday in Amsterdam.

The meeting also upgraded France's Centre Technique des Institutions de Prévoyance the Association Française Professionnelle de l'Epargne Retraite from observer status. CTIP and Afpen will become full members from January 1.

"The EFRP is very satisfied with this development in two of the major member states of the EU that can be nothing else than beneficial for the further development of EFRP as the EU level organisation representing pension institutions that are responsible for occupational and supplementary pension provision," the EFRP stated.

The federation yesterday confirmed ABP's Jaap Maassen confirmed as its new chairman, taking over from Alan Pickering.