Standard Life

The news the government and the FCA are to launch a major review into consumer access to financial advice has been widely welcomed.

Shares in Standard Life fell 3% in early morning trading as half yearly results revealed a drop in annuities sales had hit the Edinburgh-based group's profits.

Graham Mudie has joined Aviva Investors' sales teams from Standard Life Investments, as chief executive Euan Munro continues to recruit from his former company.

Standard Life Wealth has poached Barclays' wealth and investment director Andy Brodie for the role of head of operations.

Keith Skeoch, current chief executive of Standard Life Investments, is to take over from David Nish as head of parent company Standard Life.

A market for stockpickers

A "combination of politics and pensions" contributed to slower sales across platforms in the first three months of the year, with the year-on-year (YOY) asset growth rate also receding, according to research.

Standard Life has completed the acquisition of wealth manager Pearson Jones from Skipton Building Society, a move which represents its return to offering financial advice.

Fund managers give their views on the key issues impacting global asset classes and outline how they are positioning portfolios.

Standard Life has reported strong figures for Q1, driven partly by a boost to its pensions business.