The GBP8 billion Greater Manchester Pension Fund has tendered actuarial and investment consulting briefs. It is unclear whether one or more firms will be hired or why it is tendering. According to iisearches, Hymans Robertson was advising in 2001. Officials at Hymans declined to comment.

At the fund, Peter Morris, pensions director, was on holiday at press time and Steven Taylor, head of pensions investment, did not return calls. As per the Official Journal of the European Union tender document, individual contracts are for five years with the option of additional two-year extensions. The fund expects to receive a minimum of five tenders and a maximum of 20. The deadline is July 31.