Norma Cohen, property columnist for the Financial Times, seems to have been ruffling a few feathers in her role as a pension fund trustee for parent company Pearson. Trustee meetings have been heated affairs, characterised by a searing line of questioning from the property expert, according to one insider.

How much harmony Cohen's fearsome knowledge of her subject has brought during her five-year tenure is up for debate, but her influence doesn't look much in doubt - the pension fund has double the average holding in property. Pam Jenkins, Pearson's pension manager, says: "She keeps me on my toes. She certainly makes sure I've done my homework."